Current Research Priorities

Can simple, scaleable nudges shift consumption toward plant-based options?

Through our innovative collaboration with Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises and the Menus of Change consortium of universities, we are designing and testing simple nudges that shift consumption from meat and animal products to plant-based options, all while keeping patrons satisfied and happy. Some of these are as simple as making plant-based options the default. 

Can educational materials shift consumption?

Documentaries like The Game Changers and books like The Omnivore’s Dilemma are compelling and memorable for many people. But does exposure to these kinds of media actually shift consumption in the long term? We study these questions rigorously using meta-analysis methods, online experiments, and observational studies in real-world settings. 

How can we support sustainable, affordable, and humane food systems in developing countries?

As populations in developing countries rapidly grow and urbanize, we urgently need food systems that provide affordable, healthy food at a global scale. These food systems also should not exacerbate the burdens of climate change and air pollution, which disproportionately affect countries in the Global South. Whereas most research on plant-based food transitions has occurred in developed Western countries, we take a global approach.