Gender, emotions, and planetary care

Dr. Lauren Smith received a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship investigate climate emotions and gender dynamics in formal (e.g., paid) and informal (e.g., unpaid) planetary care work.

Environmental climate crises are increasing in frequency and severity worldwide (Pörtner et al., 2023; Zscheischler et al., 2018) and pro-environmental action is needed at all scales, from the individual to societal (Fritsche & Masson, 2021; Newell et al., 2021). Effective climate solutions require pro-environmental behaviour and planetary care activities in formal (e.g., paid) and informal (e.g., unpaid) settings. Climate action is needed by policy-makers, managers, and industries, as well as among individuals (IPCC, 2023). Yet, social psychologists find mixed responses to persistent, life-threatening climate communications (Akil et al., 2018; Naidu et al., 2022; Pyszczynski et al., 2015; Smith et al., 2019; Stollberg & Jonas, 2021; Vess & Arndt, 2008). Psychosocial responses to dire climate messages can at times lead to increased or decreased environmental care (Fritsche et al., 2010; Harrison & Mallett, 2013; Kasser & Sheldon, 2000; Koole & Van Den Berg, 2005). These responses to persistent climate messaging and the implications for long-term environmental care must be understood. Moreover, care work remains highly gendered, particularly in informal, unpaid contexts (McCarthy, 2018; Rundblad, 2019).
To address this challenge, I will investigate formal (e.g., paid) and informal (e.g., unpaid) environmental work as care activities and how varying emotional contexts (e.g., fear or threat vs. awe or compassion) can influence engagement in these activities. Gender intersections of planetary care will also be explored. Thus, my post-doctoral research combines three major fields: social psychology; feminist care ethics; environmental communications.