Dr. Jordana Composto joins CCBS and the DIBS Group as Postdoctoral Researcher

This summer, UBC Sauder created a new postdoctoral position in sustainability, climate, and behavioural insights. The position is funded by the Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS) and the research is led by Decision Insights for Business & Society (DIBS). Joining us from Princeton University to fill this exciting new position is Dr. Jordana Composto. We recently caught up with Dr. Composto to learn more about her background and her research.

Where are you from, and what brought you to UBC Sauder? 

I'm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is where I’m moving from. I was drawn to UBC Sauder by its outstanding reputation for impact-driven field research in behavioral science. I'm excited to collaborate with the incredible faculty here and across the university to study behavioral and psychological phenomena through rigorous field studies.

What are your areas of research, and how did you get into this field? 

My research investigates the complex relationships between individual, collective, and institutional levels of decision-making in energy transition policy and pro-environmental behavior. I have been focused on addressing the climate crisis throughout my whole academic journey and after working in industry for a few years after undergrad, I found a path back to academia through behavioral science. I realized that understanding how people perceive and respond to climate solutions—particularly emerging technologies—was critical to effective policy design and public engagement.
 

What continues to fuel your research or interest in these areas? 

I'm driven by the challenge of tackling complex problems that require diverse expertise. Working with collaborators from different fields—whether engineers, ecologists, modelers, or community partners—constantly pushes me to learn new methods, engage with unfamiliar literatures, and question my assumptions. I find that the most interesting insights emerge when we move past disciplinary jargon and work together to understand the fundamental dynamics of a problem. Addressing complex societal challenges, like climate change, demands this kind of integration and collaboration. We can't design effective energy transitions without bringing behavioral scientists into conversation with technologists, policymakers, and the communities affected by these changes.

What’s one of the most interesting things you’ve discovered through your research?

One of the most important discoveries from my research is that we might be able to avoid repeating historical mistakes with new climate technologies. Nuclear power is the cautionary tale—public fear derailed an entire industry despite engineering evidence that it was safer than fossil fuels. In my research on carbon capture and storage (CCS) acceptance with over 5,500 people, I found experimental evidence that strategic science communication during early deployment can prevent similar barriers from forming. The key is reaching people when awareness is still low, before attitudes become entrenched. Our science communication intervention increased acceptance by reducing two specific psychological barriers: unfamiliarity with the technology and fear of catastrophic outcomes. These effects lasted at least a week and were consistent across diverse populations with varying levels of trust in CCS technology and institutions. This suggests there's a critical window where proactive, accurate communication can empower informed public engagement with new technologies and projects. 

Can you tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I trained as a classical vocalist for a decade. Although I have not sung much in recent years, I hope to find a choir to join in Vancouver.
 

What are you most looking forward to in Vancouver? 

I’m looking forward to exploring the mountains around Vancouver. I’m a (new) rock climber, and I have already been up to Squamish a few times to climb. I am also excited to experience Vancouver’s food scene—fresh Pacific seafood is hard to beat!