Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science

🪧 How can we encourage more people to take part in climate action?

Dr Ganga Shreedhar and colleagues explored this question in collaboration with Extinction Rebellion through a large-scale social media experiment.

The team tested different combinations of messaging and imagery to see what prompted people to register interest in local climate talks. The campaign reached more than 350,000 Facebook users across Birmingham, Cardiff and Oxford.

The researchers found that:

✅️ Direct instructions outperform polite requests.
✅️ Images showing the real-world impacts of climate change are more effective than protest or diversity-based imagery.

Dr Shreedhar discusses the study and its implications in the latest issue of LSE's Research for the World online magazine:

Tell, don’t ask: mobilising climate action on social media | LSE Research How can social media move people from passive concern to collective climate action? LSE research analysing Extinction Rebellion posts shows why direct calls outperform softer messaging.

🎓️ Interested in joining the Executive MSc Behavioural Science at LSE this September?

Applications are still open, and our next online information session is a great opportunity to find out if the programme is right for you.

Learn more about the curriculum, admissions and student experience.

📅 Thursday 21 May
🕐️ 1-2pm BST
📍 Zoom
✍️ Sign up: https://lse.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J_uyUEW0R86DPQQx_Kp19A
🔗 Learn more: https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/emsc

Explore LSE's Executive MSc Behavioural Science Taught by world-leading behavioural science experts, our Executive MSc Behavioural Science combines rigorous academic training with practical insights.

📸 Meet the team behind PBS.

Our faculty, researchers and professional services staff recently came together for a group photo, reflecting the collaborative community that shapes psychological and behavioural science at LSE.

⏳️ Applications are still open for the September intake of the Executive MSc Behavioural Science at LSE.

Interested in applying but want to find out whether the programme is the right fit for you?

Join the next online information session to learn more about the curriculum, admissions process, and what to expect from the programme.

📅 Monday 27 April
🕐️ 1-2pm BST
📍 Zoom
✍️ Sign up: https://lse.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hp_4XjiiTHqPpCTYeI6V0Q
🔗 Learn more: https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/emsc

Explore LSE's Executive MSc Behavioural Science Taught by world-leading behavioural science experts, our Executive MSc Behavioural Science combines rigorous academic training with practical insights.

🌍️ Supporting global talent to create real world impact 💥

The AKO Master’s Scholarships enable students from South Asia, Africa and Latin America to study a one year master’s programme our department.

Generously funded by the AKO Foundation, ten scholarships are available, including two full awards with a maintenance stipend and eight covering full tuition fees. Scholars are selected for their academic potential, financial need, and commitment to contributing to positive societal impact after graduation.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply on our website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/fees-and-funding/AKO-Masters-Scholarships

Meet our scholars: https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/study/msc/ako/scholarships