Joe Árvai is the Director of the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, and he is the Dana and David Dornsife Professor of Psychology, Environmental Studies, and Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California. His early training was in oceanography, but he quickly became interested in why people say they care deeply about something, like their own health or that of the environment, but then don’t act accordingly. So, starting with a PhD steeped in the study of psychology, economics, and environmental science, he began to conduct research on how people formulate their attitudes and beliefs, how they make judgments decisions, and how they ultimately behave against the backdrop of a wide range of risks and opportunities. Joe has published nearly 100 scientific papers about these topics, and he appears frequently as a commentator across a broad range of media. In addition to his work at USC, Joe serves as a science advisor to the Office of the Administrator of the U.S. EPA through the agency’s Chartered Science Advisory Board. He is also a member of the of National Academies of Sciences Board on Atmospheric Science and Climate. And he serves as an advisor to a broad range of businesses and NGOs. On his days off, Joe rides motorcycles, climbs mountains, and makes documentary photographs and videos. You can see some of his work on Instagram at @JoeArvai and @ThatGuyFromLAX, and on his YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/@realjoearvai.
Experience
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2020–presentDana and David Dornsife Professor of Psychology, University of Southern California
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2015–2020Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise , University of Michigan
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2011–2015Svare Chair in Applied Decision Research, University of Calgary
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2008–2010Associate Professor, Michigan State University
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2006–2008Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
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2001–2005Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University
Education
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2001University of British Columbia, PhD - Risk and Decision Science
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1997University of British Columbia, MSc - Oceanography
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1995University of British Columbia , BSc - Marine Biology/Ecology
Professional Memberships
- Society for Risk Analysis
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
Honours
Chauncey Starr Award, Leopold Leadership Fellow, Society for Risk Analysis Fellow
