Novel Approaches to Sustainable Consumption and Social Change

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On July 25, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment and the Yerevan State University (YSU) Environmental Law Resource Centre hosted a joint workshop on “Sustainable Consumption and Social Change: Intervening in Everyday Life Practices” led by professor Marlyne Sahakian of the University of Geneva. 

Professor Sahakian uses a sociological lens in consumption and sustainability studies, examining not only individual behavior and government policy but also what she terms “social practices,” which determine the likelihood that a person will engage in a certain type of consumption pattern. She conducts research on energy, food, and wellbeing, often collaborating with inter-and trans-disciplinary teams. 

During the workshop, professor Sahakian addressed certain consumption domains that have relatively greater impact than others, such as mobility, meat consumption, and home heating. She analyzed these consumption domains, looking at the dynamics embedded in social, institutional, and material arrangements that influence behavior. 

Professor Sahakian is co-founder of SCORAI Europe, a network for sustainable consumption research and action, and is co-chair of the European Sociological Association’s Research Network on Consumption. She also is co-editor of the newly launched journal Consumption and Society, to be published by Bristol University Press. 

The recording of the workshop is available on Youtube in both English and Armenian. 

The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, a research center of the American University of Armenia (AUA), promotes the protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach. The AUA Acopian Center’s focus areas include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity protection and conservation, greening the built environment, sustainable energy, as well as information technology and the environment. Visit http://ace.aua.am.