Matilde Bennett

Matilde Bennett, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne within the School of Psychological Sciences. She earned her doctoral degree in environmental psychology from the University of Queensland back in 2015. Matilde specializes in teaching graduate students and leads projects that explore the intersection between human behavior and sustainable living, climate change adaptation, community resilience, urban planning, and eco-friendly practices.

Dr. Bennett has shared her research findings in esteemed journals such as Environmental Behavior, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Sustainability Science, Urban Studies, and Resilience: International Policies, Practices and Discourses. To date, she has authored more than 60 articles for EcoLife (a platform dedicated to promoting sustainable lifestyles) and previously served as the Editor-In-Chief of The Green Mind. Matilde is an active member of the International Association for Environmental Psychology and contributes to the editorial board of both Sustainability Science and the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

In 2023, an innovative class project on 'The Urban Garden Challenge' led by Dr. Bennett gained widespread attention, being featured in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, ABC News, and The Age. This initiative encouraged students to rethink urban spaces and propose creative solutions for integrating greenery into cityscapes.

Outside academia, Matilde is passionate about promoting renewable energy and participates regularly in campaigns organized by Solar Citizens. She also enjoys practicing yoga and often speaks at events on mindfulness and its benefits for mental health. Together with her colleague, Sarah Thompson, she co-hosts the podcast "Rooted in Change," discussing how psychological principles can drive positive changes in our environment.

She resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her partner, son, and a dog named Luna.