Dr Leonie Fian BSc, MSc
Research profile:
Leonie is a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer with an academic background in Environmental Psychology focusing on the human dimension in sustainable transformation processes. Her research broadly focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptation (particularly in agriculture), public risk perceptions and policy support, science and risk communication, as well as links between nature and human well-being. Her research combines cross-sectional surveys, experimental designs, and qualitative methods, and she is committed to the use of inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches.
Before joining the University of Graz, Leonie completed her PhD in Environmental Psychology at the University of Vienna, as part of an interdisciplinary research platform studying microplastics risks. She is still affiliated with the Environmental Psychology Research Group at the Department of Cognition, Emotion and Methods in Psychology at the University of Vienna as a Senior Research Fellow. Leonie holds a BSc in Psychology and MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of Vienna.
Research areas:
Environmental psychology, Human behavior in the context of the climate crisis, Climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture, Public perceptions of environmental risks, Public support for environmental policies, Science communication, Human-nature-relationship, Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary methods
Languages:
German, English
Publications
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Fian, Leonie; Vaupotič, Nina; Richter, Isabel; Koelmans, Albert A.; Pahl, SabineCommunicating scientific uncertainties: Effects of message and audience characteristics in the context of microplastic health risks.In: Public Understanding of Science. Advance online publication. 2026. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/09636625251410494Forschung: Beitrag in Zeitschrift > Originalbeitrag/Fachbeitrag
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Köhler, J.K., Fian, L., White, M. P., Nijssen, S. R. R. & Pahl, S.Actively distancing from climate radicals improves public support for moderate climate activists.In: Communications Psychology. Advance online publication. 2026. Advance online publication. doi:10.1038/s44271-026-00412-zForschung: Beitrag in Zeitschrift > Originalbeitrag/Fachbeitrag
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Bostrom, Ann; van den Broek, Karlijn L.; Bohm, Gisela; Grunzner, Maja; Felipe-Rodriguez, Marcos; Fian, Leonie; Stevens, Sarah; Abdeljaoued, Amna; Budhiraja, Vaibhav; Carratta, Giorgia; Mondellini, Simona; Ozdamar, Aybuke; Suffill, Ellise; Pahl, Sabine; Doran, RouvenScientists' mental models of microplastics: insights into expert perceptions from an exploratory comparison of research methods.In: Microplastics and Nanoplastics. 5,1. 2025. 1-14. doi:10.1186/s43591-025-00141-wForschung: Beitrag in Zeitschrift > Originalbeitrag/Fachbeitrag
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Jakobs, Maja; Fian, Leonie; Mitter, HermineAttributing Extreme Rainfall Events: Implications for Climate Action in Lower Austria.In: Österreichische Gesellschaft für Agrarökonomie (ÖGA) (Hg.): Versorgungssicherheit im Spannungsfeld steigender Nachfrageund begrenzter Ressourcen 35. Jahrestagung der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Agrarökonomie. Graz. Tagungsband 2025. 2025. 52-53.Forschung: Beitrag in Sammelwerk/Buch > Konferenzbeitrag (Abstract)