Steve Westlake

• Lecturer, Environmental Psychology, University of Bath

My research explores pro-environmental behaviour change and climate leadership, specifically how leading by example with high-impact, low-carbon actions can influence others' behaviours and attitudes towards climate change.

For instance, when high-profile leaders such as politicians, celebrities and CEOs change their lifestyles because of climate change, how does this affect our thinking and our actions? In contrast, if climate leaders travel by private jets or helicopters when there are practical lower-carbon options available, how does this impact their leadership credibility and the speed of the societal shift to low-carbon living?

My research shows that leading by example sends powerful psychological signals that encourage others to follow-suit, while greatly increasing leader credibility and approval ratings. The research provides insights into how social influence and leadership can feed into the necessary and rapid transition to more sustainable lifestyles, contributing to ongoing debates about“individual action versus systems change”.

I am an affiliate of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

• 2025–present Lecturer, University of Bath
• 2023–2025 Research fellow, Cardiff University
• 2022–2023 Research associate, Lancaster University
• 2022–2023 Knowledge exchange associate, University of Bath
• 2018–2023 PhD researcher - low-carbon leadership, Cardiff University
• 2016–2018 Communications Officer, Committee on Climate Change

• 2023 Cardiff University, PhD Environmental Psychology
• 2017 Birkbeck University of London, MSc Climate Change Management

• 2023 ESRC Post-doctoral Fellowship Role: Research Fellow Funding Source: UKRI - ESRC

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