Connecting Climate, Health, Behaviour, and Technology for a Resilient Future
The HeBEC Scientific Network
Who we are
The HeBEC Network (Health, Behaviour, and Environment-Related Challenges) is a collaborative initiative bringing together leading researchers from Scotland and Germany. Our mission is to understand and address the psychological, behavioural, and social impacts of climate change while exploring how technological innovations can strengthen resilience and support well-being.
By uniting expertise in psychology, public health, engineering, economics, and computer science, we aim to generate new knowledge, develop innovative strategies, and inform policies that help societies adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.
Why it matters
Climate change is not only an environmental issue; it is a human challenge as well. Its effects reach deep into our daily lives, influencing mental health, social relationships, and community resilience.
- Rising Temperatures are linked to higher risks of stress, aggression, anxiety, and suicide.
- Natural Hazards such as floods, storms, and heatwaves create trauma and long-term mental health problems.
- New Technologies—from artificial intelligence to wearable sensors—offer opportunities to support resilience but also raise questions of acceptance, trust, and accessibility.
The HeBEC Network works to understand better these interactions and design solution approaches that protect both people and communities.