Jamie Rye

smiling woman with blonde hair. She is wearing a black shirt and standing in front of a river

Program: Environment and Natural Resources Ph.D. Program

Specialization: Environmental Social Science

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025

Area of Research: Broadly, I am interested in behavioral interventions to promote pro-environmental behavior. My dissertation topic is on the impact of labeling of vegan alternatives on product perceptions and choices.

Link to Research Profile: Jamie Rye 

Email: rye.26@osu.edu

Why are you interested in sustainable energy solutions? I am interested in sustainable energy solutions because energy systems are a massive and global contributor to climate change and carbon emissions. My specialization in human behavior is relevant in altering consumer energy choices and behavior, especially in the residential sector. 

How are your personal history and vision assets to development and research in energy and sustainability? My history and specialization in pro-environmental behavior intervention research is an asset to sustainable energy system development because without appropriate consumer behavior, advancing technology means nothing. While I’m not the best person for creating new technologies and systems, my field offers an important tool. Understanding what makes consumers more likely to adopt sustainable energy sources and use them appropriately is essential to our success in mitigating climate change.

What is your dream job and how will it contribute to a more sustainable energy landscape? My dream job as of now is to work for a company trying to increase the adoption of sustainable products or energy systems. In the long run, I would love to have my own consulting firm where I collaborate with businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations to design interventions (e.g., creating awareness campaigns, conducting training programs, or advising on the design of spaces) that encourage sustainable practices. My experiences in the EmPOWERment program as well as my PhD program have shown me the importance of the real-world side of my research, and I want to continue on with a more applied approach for my career.

Who are potential key partners for your research? I want to partner with policy-makers and industry professionals to. High-level decisions can be monumental steps toward promoting sustainable energy habits, in addition to individual decision-making. I think the addition of policy professionals will only further the impact of my goal to alter and understand consumer behavior.

Hobbies/Personal Interests: Pottery, yoga, playing instruments, playing with my dog

Current Projects: 

Dissertation: Herbivorous Labeling: The Impact of Labels and Cognitive Dissonance on Non-Meat Alternative and Seafood Herbivorous Product Selection

  • Decreasing animal product consumption is a crucial step in mitigating environmental degradation, so it is necessary to understand consumption habits around these products and their herbivorous counterparts. Product labeling offers a vessel through which this can be studied. Most of the labeling literature in this realm is on consumption of terrestrial meat products and their herbivorous alternatives, but seafood, dairy, and egg products are more abundant in most diets globally. Therefore, it is important to apply relevant theories to and investigate behaviors pertaining to these other animal products, and not just terrestrial meat.

Publications and Presentations:

Rye, J., Sintov, N. D. (Transportation Research Part A). Predictors of Electric Vehicle Adoption Intent in Rideshare Drivers Relative to the General Public. (In Review)

Rye, J., & Sintov, N. D. (2023, November 15). Predictors of Electric Vehicle Adoption Intentions in Rideshare Drivers Relative to the General Public. Presented at Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change Annual Conference, Sacramento, California.