Practor Alvin Westmaas on urban ecological behavior

Alvin is a social psychologist by training. He obtained his PhD at Maastricht University with a thesis on culturally sensitive research into the sexual health of migrants. Among other things, he studied the extent to which migrants are willing to take precautions to protect their health, despite any cultural principles they may have. “Culturally sensitive research is in high demand internationally.” In the Netherlands, however, the situation is different. Here, this type of research, which consciously takes into account people's cultural backgrounds, norms, values, and perceptions, is not yet preferred.

Oostvaardersplassen

Looking for an interesting research project closer to home, he came across the Oostvaardersplassen. “I live in Almere. From my house, I look out over this large marshland area. I love being surrounded by greenery and seeing the changes in nature throughout the seasons. When I saw the vacancy for practor at Aeres MBO Almere, I decided to apply.”

Contagious green behavior

Alvin now applies his expertise as a social psychologist to the theme of greening. He enthusiastically explains that people often unconsciously influence each other with their green behavior. “Imagine you're working in your garden, which is in full bloom. You're unconsciously inspiring your neighbors to do the same.” The practor also sees that behavioral change, especially when enforced by society, often involves difficult choices. “I know people who want to become vegetarians, but decide against it because they realize they can't save livestock on their own.” 

Science and vocational education

The scientist is completely at home in vocational education. He says he deliberately turned down offers of university chairs. “It can easily take ten years before scientific research is put into practice. If I'm going to research something, it has to be directly applicable in practice. The vocational education practoraat is the perfect place for that!” Alvin has noticed that the concept of ‘research’ sometimes causes confusion within vocational education. “Many people immediately think of empirical evidence. That's why I prefer to use the term ‘projects’ to indicate that it's about finding practical, applicable results. That often appeals more to the imagination.”

Intrinsic motivation

In conversations with vocational students, the practor points out to them that they are not only professionals during their work, but also when they talk about it with others. “When I talk passionately about my work, I radiate enthusiasm. And that's contagious. Within the practoraat, we want to develop this oil slick principle of intrinsic motivation to the maximum. Citizenship lessons and citizenship days at vocational colleges are ideal for this, for example.”

Pure profit

In order to make an impact with urban greenery, it is important that the users of that greenery have a say, says Alvin. He is currently in talks with Staatsbosbeheer (the Dutch Forestry Commission). Together with the municipality of Almere, this manager of green heritage in the Netherlands wants to transform the Flevoland forest ‘Almeerderhout’ into an urban forest. The practoraat has been asked what the design of such an urban forest could look like. “Instead of Staatsbosbeheer deciding this itself, they are putting this question to the residents of Almere. What do they expect from an urban forest in their neighborhood? Such a change in thinking by Staatsbosbeheer is pure profit!”

Motivation for greening activities

Another example. The municipality of Dronten carried out various greening activities in a neighborhood with people in a vulnerable socioeconomic situation. It has since become apparent that the same group of residents is enthusiastically participating in these activities. The municipality will be carrying out new greening activities in the near future. In parallel with this, researchers from the practoraat will approach residents who are not participating. In this way, they are trying to find out what it takes to motivate these people to participate. The municipality can then use this information for future ecological initiatives.

The Urban Ecological Behavior practoraat originated from the RIF project ‘City of the Future’. Practor Alvin Westmaas works with a small research team (0.3 FTE) consisting of Ruby Kramer, Stella Fauré, and Valentijn van den Velden.