Dr Niki Harre

Biography

My teaching and research is in the area of community psychology and the psychology of sustainability. I teach at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Research | Current

My most recent research addresses issues of sustainability, citizenship, values and political activism. The question that drives it is how to engage people in creating a more sustainable and equitable society. I am intrigued by the lives of those who are (or at least appear to be) dedicated to the common good. I have an ongoing project at Western Springs College in Auckland to investigate the creation of a ‘sustainability culture’ in a secondary school setting.

In 2011 I released a book - Psychology for a Better World that explores strategies to inspire sustainability. I have given many workshops and talks on the ideas in the book. Click here to see a short video on the main ideas. You can order a 2018 edition of Psychology for a Better World from Auckland University Press here. 

My latest research looks at the values and symbols that underlie the human drive to participate in the common good. You can order a copy of my book The Infinite Game: How to Live Well Together from Auckland University Press here. Click here for a podcast in which I discuss the infinite game with Maria Armoudian, and here for a website with more details. In August 2019 The Infinite Game won the Ashton Wylie Mind, Body & Spirit Book Award.

Teaching | Current

I teach at both the undergraduate and graduate level. My graduate course, Psychology and Sustainability is open to students studying within any graduate programme at the University. 

Psych 715 - Psychology and Sustainability

I am the coordinator of a new three-course Sustainability Module for Arts and Science students. The first course, Sustain 100/100G Sustainability and Us is also available as a General Education option. 

Postgraduate supervision

I supervise students at Honours, Masters and PhD level. Many of my research projects involve working directly with community groups and I am particularly interested in how our university can contribute to a sustainable society that promotes human wellbeing.