Changing Behaviour for Sustainable Development from edX

The countdown is on for the world to achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. These goals provide a guide for the promotion of systems, practices and policies that will end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Human behaviour is at the heart of the SDGs, and many of the challenges faced by society today. We need to harness behavioural insights, to understand human behaviour, what drives it and what can change it. Working with, and learning from, behavioural scientists will allow us to apply solutions to our challenges that take into consideration human behaviour.

Join our team from the Monash Sustainable Development Institute in this 6-module online course (MOOC), to learn about how, through behavioural science, we can apply behavioural insights to achieve the changes we wish to see at a local and global scale. The topics covered range from systems thinking to behaviour prioritisation, drivers and barriers of behaviour, intervention design and evaluation, ethics, and more.

What you'll learn

● Methods for understanding problems that involve human behaviour, including systems mapping.

● Generating target behaviours and identifying target audiences.

● Applying tools to prioritise behaviour.

● Understanding drivers and barriers of behaviour.

● Exploring the role of theory.

● Gathering insights from the target audience to inform intervention suitability.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 0 - Introduction to the course

0.1 Welcome to the course

0.2 Introducing human behaviour and behavioural science

Module 1 - WHO needs to do WHAT differently?

1.0 Introduction to Module 1

1.1 Understand the problem and the system it sits within

1.2 Understand your target audience

1.3 Identify target behaviours

Module 2 - The drivers and barriers of behaviour

2.0 Introduction to Module 2

2.1 Consider drivers & barriers of behaviour

2.2 Make use of behaviour change theories

2.3 Capture audience insights

Module 3 - Behaviour change interventions

3.0 Introduction to Module 3

3.1 Design and apply interventions

3.2 Consider generic behaviour change tools

3.3 Define measures of success and evaluation

Module 4 - Critical issues in behaviour change

4.0 Introduction to Module 4

4.1 Behaviour change ethics

4.2 Sustainable behaviour change

4.3 Taking your behaviour change further (scaling)

Module 5 - Case summaries of behaviour change in action

5.1 Improving waste separation in hospital operating suites, using behavioural insights

5.2 Protecting wetlands by changing cropping practices on private land, using behavioural insights

5.3 Reducing food waste in schools, using behavioural insights

5.4 Enhancing patient care in Victorian hospitals, using behavioural insights

Module 6 - Summary and key learnings

6.1 - Applying behavioural science to the COVID-19 pandemic

6.2 - Summary

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on promoting sustainability through behavioral change

Emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior in addressing social challenges

Provides practical insights and tools for designing and evaluating behavior change interventions

Led by experts in behavioral science from Monash Sustainable Development Institute

Covers foundational concepts and theories in behavioral change

Suitable for learners interested in using behavioral science to create positive change

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Changing Behaviour for Sustainable Development with these activities:

Compile a list of resources on behavioural science

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Expand your understanding of behavioural science by exploring a range of resources such as articles, books, and websites.

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Identify relevant keywords and search for resources.
Review and select resources based on quality and relevance.
Organize and categorize the resources in a logical manner.
Share your compilation with others.

Learn about system mapping

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Refresh your systems thinking skills to prepare for the course's exploration of complex issues.

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Review basic systems thinking concepts.
Identify and map out a system that is relevant to your work or personal life.
Analyze the system to identify key relationships and interactions.
Develop recommendations for improving the system.

Read "Changing Behaviour: Principles of Applied Behavioural Science" by R. Francis

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Gain a deeper understanding of behavioural change theories and models that you will apply in the course.

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Read the book and make notes on key concepts.
Summarize the main points of each chapter.
Identify examples of how the principles of behaviour change can be applied in real-world settings.

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Create a target audience profile

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Develop your ability to identify and understand your target audience

Browse courses on Target Audience

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Identify the purpose of your communication.
Research your audience's demographics, interests, and needs.
Create a detailed profile of your target audience.
Validate your profile by getting feedback from real people.

Solve problems related to behaviour change drivers and barriers

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Develop your skills in identifying and analyzing driving factors and obstacles to behaviour change

Browse courses on Behaviour Change

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Identify common drivers and barriers of behaviour.
Analyze case studies to identify the drivers and barriers of behavior change.
Develop strategies to address drivers and barriers of behavior change.
Apply your knowledge to design interventions to change behavior.

Design a behaviour change intervention

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Synthesize your understanding of behavioural science by designing an intervention to address a specific behaviour change challenge

Browse courses on Intervention Design

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Identify a behaviour change challenge.
Develop a theory of change to explain how your intervention will lead to behaviour change.
Design your intervention, including the target audience, intervention components, and delivery methods.
Develop a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of your intervention.
Present your intervention design to a group of stakeholders.

Volunteer with an organization promoting sustainable behaviour

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Gain practical experience in applying behavioural science to promote positive change in your community

Browse courses on Behaviour Change

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Identify an organization that aligns with your interests.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training and orientation.
Participate in volunteer activities and apply your knowledge of behaviour change principles.
Reflect on your experiences and identify lessons learned.

Conduct a behavioural science research project

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Engage in independent research and apply your understanding of behavioural science to investigate a specific topic of interest.

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Identify a research question and develop a hypothesis.
Design a research study, including methodology and data collection methods.
Collect and analyze data.
Interpret your findings and draw conclusions.
Write a research report or present your findings at a conference.

Career center

Learners who complete Changing Behaviour for Sustainable Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study the earth's climate system and how it is changing. They need to understand how human behavior impacts climate change and how to influence behavior to create more sustainable systems. This course teaches about "human behavior at the heart of the SDGs," and will help Climate Scientists to learn about the drivers and barriers of behavior. They will learn a variety of tools and techniques that could be useful for designing studies or developing interventions to change human behavior in ways that benefit climate change mitigation or adaptation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts help businesses improve their environmental performance and reduce their impact on the planet. One of the most important aspects of sustainability is working with people to change their behaviors to reduce their impact on the earth. This course is specifically about the science behind how to change people's behaviors. As an Analyst, knowing how to analyze a problem from a systems perspective, identify target behaviors and target audiences, and measure the success of interventions would be critical to your success.

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Social Scientist

Social Scientists study the behavior of individuals and groups. They develop theories about how people think, feel, and act. This course introduces those theories and will teach Social Scientists how to apply them to change behaviors that negatively impact sustainability. The course also covers a number of case studies that would be relevant to a Social Scientist's work.

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Behavior Analyst

Behavior Analysts help people change their behavior. They develop and implement behavior change programs for individuals and groups. This course is an excellent introduction to those programs, especially for those Behavior Analysts who are interested in creating more sustainable systems. The course teaches a number of frameworks, theories, and methods for understanding and changing behavior. It also covers a number of case studies that should be of interest to any Behavior Analyst, regardless of their area of practice.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems that solve complex problems. If you would like to be a Systems Analyst then you need to have a strong understanding of how systems work. This course helps build that foundation. The course description mentions learning about "systems, practices and policies." That translates directly to designing and implementing computer systems that can support and enforce those new policies or practices. The course also teaches how to map systems and teaches about drivers and barriers of behavior. These could be critical to understanding how to implement a computer system that will be successful and will not cause problems for the users.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and how it is affected by human activity. They need to understand how human behavior impacts the environment and how to influence behavior to create a more sustainable world. This course is an excellent introduction to those concepts, although most Environmental Scientists have advanced degrees that cover these concepts in greater depth.

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Public Health Officer

Public Health Officers develop and implement policies and programs to protect and improve health. They need to understand how human behavior impacts public health and how to influence behavior to create healthier communities. This course could be a useful introduction to these concepts, although most Public Health Officers have advanced degrees that cover these concepts in greater depth.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers work with communities to identify and address their needs. They develop and implement programs and campaigns to improve the lives of community members. This course may be useful for Community Organizers who are interested in working on sustainability issues and finding ways to change behaviors that negatively impact the community in which they live.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and implement plans for the development and use of land in urban areas. They need to understand how human behavior impacts land use and how to plan for sustainable communities. This course could be useful for Urban Planners who are interested in creating more sustainable communities. It teaches a number of frameworks for understanding how people think and behave, which could be applied to planning for land use.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations to improve their environmental performance and reduce their impact on the planet. This course may be useful for Sustainability Consultants who are interested in learning more about how to change human behavior, which is a critical component of creating more sustainable businesses and organizations.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement policies and programs to ensure that their companies are operating in a sustainable and ethical way. This course may be useful for Corporate Social Responsibility Managers who are interested in learning more about how to change behavior and create more sustainable practices within their company.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They develop and implement programs and services to meet the needs of the community. This course may be useful for Nonprofit Managers who are interested in working on sustainability issues. It will help them to understand the drivers and barriers of behavior and to develop and implement programs and services that are more likely to be successful and have lasting impact.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies and programs for government agencies. This course may be useful for Policy Analysts who are interested in working on sustainability issues. It will help them to understand the drivers and barriers of behavior and to develop and implement policies and programs that are more likely to be successful and have lasting impact.

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Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the implementation of programs and services. This course may be useful for Program Managers who are interested in working on sustainability issues. It will help them to understand the drivers and barriers of behavior and to develop and implement programs and services that are more likely to be successful and have lasting impact.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. This course could be useful for Professors who are interested in teaching or researching sustainability or behavior change. It provides a good overview of the field and could help Professors to develop new courses or research projects.

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