In her talk, Sara Valentini presented a compelling approach to studying sustainable consumer behavior by leveraging device-level GPS data and Places of Interest (POI) information to measure actual behavior — rather than relying on self-reported intentions. Her work addresses the well-known intention-behavior gap in sustainability research, offering a novel index that captures individual-level sustainability across multiple domains, from energy use to fashion and food choices. Particularly insightful was her focus on eco-movement events and the role of Greta Thunberg's 2019 activism, exploring how physical exposure to such events — whether through active participation or passive proximity — shapes subsequent consumer behavior, with effects that gradually return to baseline after approximately ten weeks.

Beyond the substance of the research itself, sessions like this one are a valuable reminder of what research at its best can look like — methodologically creative, policy-relevant, and grounded in real-world data. For PhD students, these MRSS talks offer a rare opportunity to learn directly from experienced researchers navigating the full arc of a project, from conceptual framing to empirical execution. The collegial environment also makes it easier to ask questions and engage in the kind of informal conversation that, more often than not, turns out to be just as enriching as the talk itself.