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Prof. Dr. Astrid Kause

Astrid Kause
21335 Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, C11.302
Fon +49.4131.677-1723, astrid.kause@leuphana.de
Junior Professor, Junior professorship of Sustainability Science and Psychology

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Vita

Before joining Leuphana University Lüneburg, Astrid was based at the Centre for Decision Research and the Sustainability Research Institute in Leeds, the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin; the University of Konstanz, Germany, the University of Burgundy, France; and the University of Klagenfurt, Austria. She has a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Klagenfurt, Austria, and a PhD (‘Dr.rer.nat.’) from the University of Konstanz, Germany.

Research Interests

Astrid studies human judgements and decisions related to climate change and other environmental risks. This includes how individuals perceive such risks – in particular their understanding of (uncertain) scientific evidence. She also explores mechanisms of pro-environmental behaviours. Inspired by the ecological rationality-framework from the field of decision sciences, Astrid’s research goal is to improve the intuitive design of decision environments: By developing and testing very simple strategies individuals and policy makers can apply in daily decisions, she aims at better informing individuals when facing complex and uncertain challenges like climate change. Besides, Astrid also explored from a game theory perspective how and when individuals share scarce primary resources such as water.

Astrid’s collaborative research has been funded by grants from the Met Office UK, the STFC Network+, the Centre for Decision Research, University of Leeds, and the University of Klagenfurt. She was awarded with stipends from the Max Planck Society, The German Academic Exchange Service and the Society for Risk Analysis-Europe.

Projects

  1. Urban Future Climate Lab
    Astrid Kause (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Research

  2. IMPETUS4CHANGE (I4C): Improving near-term climate predictions for societal transformation
    Astrid Kause (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Research

View all projects

Publications

Journal contributions

  1. The false certainties of climate policy: Rethinking risk and cooperation in an uncertain future
    John-Oliver Engler (Author) , Florian Ulrich Jehn (Author) , Astrid Kause (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Jana Zscheischler (Author) , Johann Majer (Author) , 01.12.2026 , in: Ecological Economics, 250 , 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research

  2. A representative German survey experiment exploring the acceptability of green H2 storage: Significant links with socio-psychological predictors and targeted information
    Rubina Shirin Steller (Author) , Erik Alexander Recklies (Author) , Petra Monika Schweizer-Ries (Author) , Astrid Kause (Author) , 01.09.2026 , in: Energy Research and Social Science, 139 , 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  3. Evidence use and exchange in two urban heat adaptation networks in Europe
    Eulàlia Baulenas (Author) , Jonathan Ulrich (Author) , Astrid Kause (Author) , Sam Pickard (Author) , Dragana Bojovic (Author) , 13.07.2026 , in: npj Urban Sustainability

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  4. Change in flood and climate risk perceptions after the 2021 flood in Germany: A panel study
    Jonathan Ulrich (Author) , Astrid Kause (Author) , 03.07.2026 , in: Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2026

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  5. Mehr als Klimaschutz: Co-benefits kennen und nutzen: Policy Ultra-Briefs aus Psychologie und angrenzenden Verhaltenswissenschaften
    Astrid Kause (Author) , Wilhelm Hofmann (Author) , 01.07.2026 , in: psychologie.de, 2026 , p. 1-3 , 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Transfer › peer-review

View all publications

Contributions to collected editions/anthologies

  1. Waste prevention behaviour and fast and frugal heuristics
    Ana Paula Bortoleto (Author) , Astrid Kause (Author) , Konstantinos Katsikopoulos (Author) , 27.08.2014 London , p. 168-187 , 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review

  2. Risikokompetenz von Ärzten und Patienten
    Astrid Kause (Author) , Roman Prinz (Author) , Wolfgang Gaissmaier (Author) , Odette Wegwarth (Author) , 01.01.2014 1. ed. Bern , p. 424-439 , 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review

View all publications

Activities

  1. Wie wir Hürden in der Klimakommunikation(sflut) erfolgreich meistern
    Astrid Kause (Speaker)

    Activity: Guest lectures › Research

  2. What remains to be done to achieve open, global science
    Astrid Kause (Speaker) , Moritz Kütt (Speaker)

    Activity: talk or presentation in privat or public events › Research

  3. 1.5 Grad: ein Werkstattgespräch
    Astrid Kause (Speaker) , Neele Bünning (Speaker)

    Activity: Conference Presentations › Research

  4. A moral dilemma about terrorism: Predicting desisions in the play "Terror" by Ferdinand von Schirach
    Astrid Kause (Speaker) , Christian Maximilian Thum (Speaker) , Lisa Katharina Frisch (Speaker)

    Activity: Conference Presentations › Research

  5. A behavioral science view onto climate risk and uncertainty communications
    Astrid Kause (Speaker)

    Activity: talk or presentation in privat or public events › Research

View all activities

Press / Media

  1. Klimatag: Hochwasser, extreme Hitze – wie wappnen wir uns mental?
    1 Media contribution

    Press/Media: Press/Media

  2. Wie umgehen mit Studienergebnissen und wissenschaftlicher Unsicherheit
    1 Media contribution

    Press/Media: Press/Media

  3. Unsicherheiten ansprechen am besten
    1 Media contribution

    Press/Media: Press/Media

  4. Sicher nicht ganz sicher: Die schwierige Kommunikation über Unsicherheiten
    1 Media contribution

    Press/Media: Press/Media

  5. Zwischen Elfenbeinturm und Aktivismus: Unsichere Aussagen über den Klimawandel kommunizieren
    1 Media contribution

    Press/Media: Press/Media

View all press/media coverage

Courses

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Manuel Bohn, Oliver Genschow, Ulf Hahnel, Astrid Kause, Franziska Kößler, Sebastian Wallot
The Research Forum supports students in developing a master's thesis project at the intersection of psychology and sustainability. Students will learn about possible thesis topics in psychology and sustainability at Leuphana, connect with potential supervisors, develop their research ideas, gain input on psychological research methods and project management, and receive feedback from researchers and peers throughout the thesis development process.
Next appointment:
Friday, 2026-10-30 at 09:30
Room: C 40.255 Seminarraum
Applications from Communication Psychology: The Dissemination of Scientific Insights
Astrid Kause
This course addresses why we should care about careful science communication.

We will discuss general aims of science communication. This includes whether and how public audiences care about science, how much they trust science and when and why it is warranted to trust science. We will then delve into the history of science communication, who started it, why, and in what parts of (historic) societies. We will discuss early formalised models of science communication, from during and post Second World War times and reflect on what we can still learn from those for science communication today.

We will then examine how to find out whether science communication is effective for connecting science and society, drawing on the ‚science of science communication’: The science of science communication offers guidance on how we can use empirical research methods, such as interviews, surveys and experiments for finding out about communication needs. Its’ aim is to find out what potential target audiences of science communication want and need to know; with the aim of making science communication more effective.

This will be followed by an overview of ‚how to‘-communicate science. Starting with a granular focus, we will examine empirical research about the (effective) use of numbers, verbal language and graphs. We will then discuss the different channels that can be used for communicating science, such as personal conversations, press releases, online resources, talks, exhibitions, games, … The course ends with a view onto mis- and disinformation spread about science and on what we know about how to effectively counteract misinformation.

Examples throughout the course will mostly relate to sustainability and health. Where possible, the course includes interactive elements, such as a workshop on how to talk about polarised scientific topics with skeptical peers, gamified approaches, and practical exercises for finding out whether communications are suitable for intended target audiences.

Besides an exam, students will implement a small project on science communication. They are invited to start early on in the semester, so as to be able to seek feedback from others before the course ends.
Next appointment:
Thursday, 2026-10-15 at 16:15
Room: C 14.001 Seminarraum
Perception and communication of environmental risks: Psychological foundations
Astrid Kause
“Nothing can be said to be certain but death and taxes” wrote Benjamin Franklin just before the French Revolution. This ironic comment expresses that in our everyday lives, we permanently face risks, and associated uncertainties. Sometimes, however, people may not even notice. But, instead of facing risks or trying to understand their real nature, many people, including experts or politicians may fear what is not really dangerous, but ignore what may actually be harmful. Consequently, they avoid risks or even behave in ways that harm themselves or others. But, democratic systems require that individuals can understand risks, and make informed decisions about risks that harm themselves or the environments they rely on.
Through the lens of sustainability psychology and related disciplines, we will first define what risk and uncertainty are for individuals, and look at theories for conceptualising risks. This extends to individual differences shaping risk perceptions, such as political affiliation, cultural worldviews, gender, or whether people have directly experienced floods, extreme heat or other hazards. Second, we will study how risks are communicated, namely how numbers, pictures and words shape perceptions and understanding. With this background, we’ll finally discuss why and how psychological research on risk perception and communication can help building a society which is capable to deal with environmental risks.
The seminar will include topical sessions with student-led discussions, break-out groups and short presentations.
Next appointment:
Thursday, 2026-10-15 at 12:15
Room: C 11.319 Seminarraum
Psychology and Sustainability
Astrid Kause
In der Psychologie des Urteilens und Entscheidens wird erforscht, wie Menschen Entscheidungen treffen und wie sie Risiken wie den Klimawandel, Verschmutzung, umweltbedingte Gesundheitsrisiken, oder Naturkatastrophen wahrnehmen. Dabei integriert sie Theorien und empirische Erkenntnisse aus unterschiedlichen Disziplinen wie der Ökonomie, der Biologie und auch den Computerwissenschaften.

Nach einer Einführung in die Geschichte der (Umwelt)psychologie werden zwei Fragen beleuchtet: 1) Wie nehmen Menschen verschiedene Umweltrisiken wahr und wie können diese verständlich kommuniziert werden? Sowie 2) Was wissen wir über die Faktoren, die unterschiedliche Entscheidungen voraussagen? Die in dieser Vorlesung vorgestellten Antworten auf diese beide Fragen umfassen zum einen, wie Risikowahrnehmung und Verhalten sich sowohl durch Unterschiede in etwa Werten, politischen Einstellungen, oder individuellen Lernerfahrungen erklären lassen. Sie umfassen zum anderen, wie der Kontext, wie etwa Grundeinstellungen, das Verhalten anderer, Infrastruktur oder Informationen aus den Medien bestimmte Verhaltensweisen beeinflusst.

Ziel ist zu verstehen, wie im politischen, ökonomischen und sozialen Wandel hin zu mehr Nachhaltigkeit Einzelne mitgenommen und wie sie kompetenter mit den Herausforderungen dieses Wandels umgehen können.
Next appointment:
Wednesday, 2026-10-14 at 14:15
Room: C HS 4