#28 - Alexa Delbosc: A social psychology toolkit for changing transport planning, built environment and future mobility

Denise Mitrano, Assistant Professor in the Environmental System Science Department at ETH Zurich sheds some light into the topic of plastics pollution, from macro and micro to nano. Trained as an analytical chemist, we hear how Denise is using her skills to better understand how we can quantify, replace and reduce the sources for better environmental and human health protection. We also reflect on the role that science needs to play in future legislation around environmental protection and some tips on being an academic in a very dynamic discipline.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and getting out of your comfort zone6:25 Discovering environmental chemistry and nanomaterials13:17 Contaminants of emerging concern16:16 Denise’s journey to Switzerland18:00 Plastics 10124:53 Two historical examples of plastics management27:23 Can we create a plastic-free world?30:36 Denise’s Research Pillar 1 - Analytical34:40 Denise’s Research Pillar 2 - Transport and Fate41:23 Metal-doped Microplastics47:39 Denise’s Research Pillar 3 - Policy and Regulation51:43 Denise’s Future Research Trajectory57:43 Q&A Start58:00 What inspires you?58:56 If you had a magic wand?1:01:16 Key event, person, book1:02:59 Time management1:05:07 Biggest challenge in career to date1:07:44 Advice for young researchers1:08:44 Where can people reach you?1:09:07 Final Message1:09:45 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Bill Hunt, Professor and Extension specialist at North Carolina State University, USA shares with us his journey from a love of hydrology to creating major impact in America's stormwater management. We cover his achievements in the field of stormwater green infrastructure, his current activities in ancient Roman engineering and hear his wisdom on life lessons he has learnt along the way and our vital connection to water. Life is a journey and Bill's incredible advice can help you find our own path to walk.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Hurricane Season4:43 Our first meeting6:26 The engineering or economic studies debate12:31 Your interest as a child foretells your future18:58 What is an Extension Specialist?23:25 Humility led to insights on mosquitos in stormwater wetlands28:56 The growing to do list around water quality32:41 How diverse is stormwater management in the US?38:01 The versatility of bioretention systems42:10 Tips on maintenance of stormwater green infrastructure46:41 Bill's PhD bioretention system after 20 years48:42 Bill's recent book on stormwater green infrastructure51:16 From stormwater to ancient Roman water management56:43 Our connection to water1:01:22 Finding your calling1:03:58 Tackling inequalities in cities1:09:15 Q&A Start1:09:36 What inspires you?1:12:12 Key event, person, book1:14:47 If you had a magic wand?1:17:50 Biggest challenge in career to date1:26:03 Time management1:28:52 Advice for young researchers1:30:24 Where can people reach you?1:31:41 Final Message1:34:15 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Luis Angel Sañudo Fontaneda, Associate Professor at the University of Oviedo, Spain, brings us on a journey through Spain's history in adopting Sustainable Drainage Systems and how its dynamic policies have shifted towards climate adaptation and sustainability. We look into the marvel of pervious pavements and swale systems, an engineering-focussed start to the Blue-Green Infrastructure journey and reflect on the challenges of being an academic trying to change the world.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro2:00 Guest Intro and Academic Conferencing7:26 A series of fun coincidences and an announcement9:27 Spain, Cantabria, Geography and Climate12:52 Spain's History in SuDS and Luis' entry21:30 Pervious Pavements 10136:18 Getting into Swales41:41 Receptivity towards SuDS in Spain47:04 Luis' next SuDS endeavour49:43 Q&A Start50:06 What inspires you?51:42 Key event, person, book58:28 If you had a magic wand?1:07:19 Time management1:11:14 Advice for young researchers1:12:43 Where can people reach you?1:13:27 Final Message1:14:34 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Neil Armitage, Emeritus Professor from the University of Cape Town reflects on his journey from engineering through to academia and the human side of sustainable drainage systems. We reflect on South Africa's integrated urban water management challenges and have fun picking at terminology around SuDS, WSUD, LIDs and the like. We see what Neil is up to at the moment and look back at the major lessons he has learnt.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and the Canoe Chute Story9:05 Choosing Water Engineering by elimination12:42 From Zimbabwe to Cape Town14:44 The PhD and a more impactful side project19:49 Neil’s greywater and sanitation chapter23:45 Terminology around sustainable drainage30:58 The Future Water Research Institute at Uni Cape Town33:13 Cape Town Day Zero Drought39:18 Stormwater harvesting for drought-proofing?41:54 Creating change in South Africa with community48:41 Summarizing the concept of SuDS49:32 A stormwater engineer’s greatest ally51:40 Gravity sucks56:15 Neil’s current endeavours1:05:07 Q&A Start1:05:19 What inspires you?1:07:34 Key moment, book, person1:11:18 If you had a magic wand?1:12:39 Time management1:18:28 Advice for young researchers1:20:00 Where can people reach you?1:20:45 Final Message1:22:07 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Tobias Baur, Professor in Landscape Architecture at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST), Rapperswil and former partner at Studio Ramboll-Dreiseitl, sheds some light on Singapore's Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters Program, the country's journey in water management, and how sponge cities have evolved from stormwater to climate adaptation in recent years in Asia and Europe. We discuss the important role that interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration played in ensuring a successful renaturalisation of an urban stream in the flagship Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park project and the challenges going forward.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Reflections on Singapore5:04 Early inspiration for water in landscape design9:00 Singapore's early water management leadership12:15 The ABC Waters Programme15:46 The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Project27:20 Tobias' other projects around Singapore31:58 Back in Europe and comparisons with the tropics36:14 Sponge Cities in Switzerland40:06 The role of the landscape architect and designer42:34 Q&A Start42:54 What inspires you?44:10 Key event, person, book44:40 If you had a magic wand?46:16 Biggest challenge in career to date48:20 Time management50:00 Advice for young researchers51:05 Where can people reach you?51:36 Final Message52:02 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Katrin Pakizer, Research Associate from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag) joins us to discuss how to create transformative change and to transition cities towards more sustainable natural resources management from the lenses of water infrastructure, biodiversity and all the many infrastructures and resources beneath our feet. We look at the challenges that we are likely to face in future in these areas due to climate change and what changes have to happen in institutions if we want to succeed in being more sustainable.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and fascination with Lichen5:58 What came first, social sciences or nature7:55 Katrin's journey to decentralized water systems14:42 Creating transformative change 1: Grassroots movements20:28 A 101 on housing cooperatives in Switzerland23:17 Creating transformative change 2: Policy instrument mixes28:41 Creating transformative change 3: Timing and sequencing40:39 Katrin's current endeavours in biodiversity45:16 Underground resources governance52:35 The road ahead for Katrin54:10 Q&A Start54:30 What inspires you56:55 If you had a magic wand59:22 Key moment, book, person1:01:24 Biggest challenge to date1:07:23 Time management1:12:10 Advice for young researchers1:14;32 Where can people find you1:15:00 Final message1:15:22 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Alexa Delbosc, Associate Professor at the Monash University Institute of Transport Studies, Australia demonstrates how social psychology concepts and thinking can be applied to transport planning. We explore a variety of topics including dehumanization of cyclists, changing lifestyles of millennials, the impact of the pandemic on transport, work from home culture, the built environment considerations, egocentric anchoring in planning and new ways of thinking about the city, especially with the uptake of micromobility.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:00:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Ornithology4:53 From animal behaviour to human behaviour7:56 Cars vs. Cyclists10:03 The Dehumanization Scale12:00 Addressing the contested road space16:25 Millennials and changing perceptions of the city23:54 The pandemic and its impact26:53 Work from home culture and transport29:46 Impact of the built environment and the third space31:32 Egocentric anchoring and other key social psychology concepts35:07 New ways of thinking about cities36:42 Is collective design the solution?40:00 New challenges in micromobility43:39 Where is transport planning heading to?46:47 Diversification of transport50:26 Q&A Start50:43 What inspires you?52:52 Key event, person, book53:31 If you had a magic wand?55:42 Biggest challenge in career to date57:30 Time management1:00:21 Advice for young researchers1:01:50 Easter Egg: Alexa’s D&D Campaign1:03:28 Where can people find you?1:04:06 Final Message1:04:30 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Darcy Molnar, Senior Program Coordinator at the Leopold-Bachmann Foundation and the Masters in Advanced Studies (MAS) in Water Resources Program Coordinator at ETH Zurich reflects on three major initiatives she has undertaken to foster better knowledge exchange on solving global crises, bridging global north and south and providing more opportunities for women in STEM. Having grown up in West Africa herself, we learn a bit about how we can use some African culture can and "joie de vivre" to tinker with our own daily lives and personal missions.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and her Egyptian Experience7:29 From Physics to Engineering and Development14:12 The Sanaga River17:15 Getting to Switzerland20:39 How to teach nature-based solutions?35:07 Network for Water and Life (NEWAL)44:42 500 Women Scientists48:30 The Kangaroo Math Competition1:00:30 Darcy’s New Adventure1:01:51 Q&A Start1:02:17 Key event, book person1:04:33 If you had a magic wand?1:05:23 Biggest challenge in career to date1:08:27 Time Management1:11:19 Advice for young scientists1:12:02 Where can people find you?1:12:20 Final Message1:13:24 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Manuel Fischer, Professor at the Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, group leader in Policy Analysis and Environmental Governance and head of the Environmental Social Sciences Institute at the Eawag, Switzerland shares some insights on the social dynamics between major actors in the political arena during times of stability and times of crisis and the importance of delving deeper into these dynamics for better social-ecological systems. We also discuss the harsh reality of whether science can impact policy.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro, Interview Skills and Social Processes7:01 Manuel for President!9:14 A 101 on Swiss Politics13:03 Manuel’s academic journey to date17:14 Actors, the social scientist and the theatre piece19:27 The good guys, the bad guys and the ‘devil shift’28:18 The ‘devil’s advocate’?31:06 Decision-making in times of crises - Fukushima36:09 Social networks40:27 Social-Ecological Networks for Biodiversity48:02 The role of scientists going forward49:39 Manuel’s approach to the future50:45 Q&A Start51:08 Key event, person, book53:20 If you had a magic wand?54:04 Biggest challenge to date55:59 Time management58:14 Advice to young social scientists1:00:44 The ivory tower of academia1:02:10 Where can people find you?1:02:49 Final message1:03:05 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

Shubber Ali, CEO of Garden for Wildlife, a spin-out from the National Wildlife Federation in the US, reflects on the journey from helping companies improve their innovation to how people can contribute to improving biodiversity in their own gardens through the use of native plants. We also discuss the twin crises of climate change and artificial intelligence (in particular, Generative AI) and look at both the positives and negatives around major societal changes we are likely to experience in future.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Gardening6:48 Innovation  a love-hate relationship13:43 Shubber's Origin Story16:16 Nature's best hope18:46 Founding Garden for Wildlife24:35 Nature and human health27:10 Native vs. Non-native30:30 Green justice the Field of Dreams Hypothesis34:10 American fascination with lawns36:36 Reducing friction for change39:08 The IKEA for Biodiversity?41:26 Deal with it at source - cost of poor quality problem43:15 Current successes of Garden for Wildlife45:18 What's next for Garden for Wildlife50:51 Coming to Europe?52:08 Climate Conference COP2755:04 We have too much information58:01 Artificial Intelligence and the dawn of Generative AI1:02:09 Potential downsides of AI1:08:55 Crisis breeds action1:10:53 What is the root cause problem?1:13:59 Q&A Start1:14:17 If you had a magic wand?1:18:25 What inspires you?1:22:55 Key book event person1:30:55 Biggest challenge to date1:34:55 Time Management1:40:50 Where can people find you?1:41:37 Final Message1:41:59 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/