Professor Harm Veling Appointed as Chair of the Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles Group at Wageningen University & Research

Prof. Veling’s career has been marked by groundbreaking work in the field of behavior change. After earning his PhD in psychology at Radboud University in 2007, he embarked on a research trajectory focused on how psychological processes related to food consumption can influence healthier and more sustainable choices. His early work, conducted at Utrecht University and Radboud University, explored the design of innovative digital interventions that help individuals make healthier choices effortlessly and quickly.

However, through his experiences as Chair of the Psychology Master’s program in Behaviour Change, Prof. Veling identified the limitations of interventions that focus solely on individuals without accounting for the broader consumption practices and living environments in which they exist. This insight led to a more holistic approach to promoting healthy and sustainable behaviors and lifestyles, one that incorporates both psychological interventions and the broader socio-ecological context.

At WUR, Prof. Veling is driving forward this comprehensive perspective on the interaction between individual behavior, and the social, cultural, physical environment, and macro-level factors. As part of the CHL group, he is advancing interdisciplinary research that draws from consumption sociology, public health, and health psychology to explore how (food) consumption and behavior change can be shaped by multiple levels of influence, from individual to societal.

“One of the central challenges we face is understanding how positive experiences with healthy and sustainable behaviors are embedded in the practices of daily life and how these are shaped by our living environments,” said Prof. Veling. “To create lasting change, we need to look beyond individual interventions and explore how changes to the environment, policies, and societal norms can support sustainable behaviors.”

Research directions at CHL include investigating how food environments can stimulate a desire for healthier and more sustainable options, how lifestyle programs can be tailored to current consumption practices, and how digital health technologies can be optimized to consider the broader socio-ecological context in which individuals operate. Additionally, Prof. Veling and his team will examine the effectiveness of initiatives such as school gardening and meal programs, exploring whether they can cultivate positive experiences that contribute to the development of lasting, healthy, and sustainable lifestyles for children.

The CHL group is committed to understanding and enabling healthier and more sustainable consumption patterns through a interdisciplinary approach. By integrating insights from various fields, such as psychology, sociology, and public health, Prof. Veling’s work aims to uncover innovative strategies for promoting healthy living across diverse populations and on a societal scale.

About Wageningen University & Research (WUR)

Wageningen University & Research is one of the world’s leading institutions in the fields of life sciences, public health, and sustainability. At the forefront of interdisciplinary research, WUR is dedicated to addressing global challenges related to food, health, and the environment, with the aim of fostering sustainable, healthy living for all.

For more information about Prof. Harm Veling’sand the CHL work at Wageningen University & Research, please visit: Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles - WUR