I am an Environmental Psychologist interested in how people interact with built and natural environments, and how these interactions might influence wellbeing, attitudes, and sustainable behaviours. I am particularly passionate about investigating the situated experiences of vulnerable groups. In my community engaged work, I aim to address four main Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG3: Promoting Health and Wellbeing
• SDG10: Tackling inequalities
• SDG11: Creating Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG13: Climate Action

I work as a Lecturer at the School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Ireland, where I teach Research Design and Methods in Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Community Psychology at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

I completed my PhD in Applied Psychology in UCC in 2017; as part of my project, I conducted the first exploration of geographical variations in cognitive health in ageing using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Before my PhD, I completed a B.Sc. in Cognitive Psychology and Psychobiology (2007) and a M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology (2009) at the University of Padua (Italy), where I developed a passion for topics involving person-environment interactions, cognitive psychology, and healthy development. Further details about my Academic Profile can be found https://maricacassarino.blog/about/

My general research interests are in Environmental Psychology, Gerontology and Cognitive Sciences. My current research work falls broadly under two complementary categories:

• Firstly, the impact of the built environment on psychological wellbeing, especially from an equity lens. I have developed interdisciplinary research in this area both with colleagues in UCC (School of Applied Psychology, School of Applied Social Studies), academics in Planning and Architecture in the UK, and local community groups in Cork (e.g., Pedestrian Cork, a local advocacy group focused on walkability and urban liveability).
• Secondly, the behaviours, cognitions, and attitudes that may influence sustainable and pro-environmental choices. In this area, I have established ongoing collaborations within UCC Sustainability Institute, with academics in Ireland and beyond, and with community stakeholders in Cork, including, among others, Cork City Council and Cork Healthy Cities.

Across these two areas, I have been involved and led interdisciplinary projects. I have conducted research on these topics employing both qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches.

Current Research Affiliations

• Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) – Graduate member and Secretary for the Special Interest Group in Addressing the Climate and Environmental Emergency
• Sustainability Institute (previously ERI, UCC) – Academic member
• American Psychological Association Division 34: Society for Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology - Ordinary member
• International Association for Person-Environment Studies (IAPS) - Ordinary member

 

A significant part of my teaching is dedicated to Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. I also contribute my interest in Environmental Psychology and expertise in person-environment interactions across modules related to Community Psychology, Service Design, and Work design. Modules coordinated AP1040 Research Design and Statistical Analyses I (2019/22)AP2050/AP2114 Research Methods in Psychology II (2019/20) Postgraduate supervision 2021-2022 Laura Somers, M.A. Applied Psychology, Secondary trauma and wellbeing in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemicPatrick Clancy, M.A. Applied Psychology Mental Health, Burnout in healthcare workers working with intellectual disabilities Jennifer Costello, M.A. in Work and Organisational Behaviour, Workplace online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic Hope Obediah, M.A. in Work and Organisational Behaviour, Work-related stress and contextual performance in employees working remotely Topaz Shrestha, Ph.D. by Research (Co-supervisor), Nature-based solutions for wellbeing2020-2021 Maria Bulz, M.A. in Work and Organisational Psychology, Workspace biophilic design, employee productivity, and the mediating role of employee satisfactionJennifer Rawle, M.A. in Work and Organisational Psychology, Factors of emotional exhaustion among primary school teachers during the COVID-19 pandemicColm Scully, M.A. in Work and Organisational Behaviour, Changes to commuting and employees experiences during the COVID-19 pandemicSarah Jane O'Mahoney, M.A. in Work and Organisational Beha