About

I am an internationally leading scholar in the human–nature relationship, ranked first globally for nature connectedness research outputs and quality and consistently among the Top 2% of scientists worldwide for five consecutive years. My work delivers transformative impact across research, policy, and culture—shaping UN assessments, UK government guidance, and global campaigns. I have pioneered frameworks and interventions adopted internationally, influencing wellbeing, biodiversity policy, and public engagement at scale.

A Professor of Human Factors and Nature Connectedness, Chartered Psychologist and Chartered Ergonomist, I founded the award-winning Nature Connectedness Research Group (NCRG), launched the Nature Connections Conference Series and Nature Connectedness Network. My work focuses on understanding and improving people’s connection with nature to unite human and nature’s wellbeing, bridging research and real-world impact through tools, frameworks, and interventions that influence policy, inform urban design, and inspire cultural change. This includes contributing to global initiatives such as the UN IPBES Transformative Change Assessment. My work extends beyond academic journals to influence policy, practice, and culture—shaping government guidance, informing international campaigns, and inspiring public engagement at scale.

Global Leadership and Societal Impact

I advise nationally and internationally on strategies to improve the human–nature relationship, working with government agencies, NGOs, and global initiatives to deliver transformative change. My research has shaped policy and practice at the highest levels, cited in 142 policy documents by 59 organisations across 16 countries, including the United Nations, WHO, OECD, UNESCO, IPCC, IPBES, and the UK Government.

As a Lead Author for the UN IPBES Global Transformative Change Assessment, I have contributed to global biodiversity policy and evidence reviews that inform international action. In the UK, my work underpins government guidance and national campaigns, influencing programmes such as green social prescribing, which reach millions of people.

Beyond policy, my frameworks and tools have been widely adopted in practice, informing visitor experience design, mental wellness programmes, and cultural initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness Week. These applications demonstrate how my research translates into real-world impact, improving wellbeing and fostering pro-nature behaviours at scale.

Awards and Recognition

• Research named by Universities UK as one of the UK’s 100 best breakthroughs for impact.
• Institutional award for research impact at the 2021 Green Gown Awards.
• Sir John Burnett Memorial Medal in recognition of significant research that advances understanding of the human–nature relationship and informs biodiversity policy and practice.
• Best Environmental Cause Campaign at the Purpose Awards (2023) for the biodiversity stripes campaign.
• Regularly invited to deliver keynote speeches at international conferences.
• Invited talks include Parliamentary Panels, All-Party Parliamentary Groups and at the Royal Institution.
• Member of Natural England’s Social Science Expert Panel and Nature Futures Framework Advisory Group, shaping evidence-based policy and practice.
• Serve on the Department for Education’s Climate and Nature Education Expert Advisory Group, contributing to national education policy on sustainability and nature.
• For five consecutive years (2021–2025), I have been ranked in the Top 2% of scientists worldwide by Elsevier and Stanford University.
• ScholarGPS ranked me first globally for nature connectedness research outputs and quality in 2025, with a top 100 ranking in psychology for research quality over the past five years, and top 1000 for impact and quality among over 800,000 social sciences researchers.

I advise nationally and internationally on strategies to improve the human–nature relationship, working with government agencies, NGOs, and global initiatives.

Research interests

My research explores the human–nature relationship, focusing on pathways to nature connectedness, mental health and wellbeing, and pro-nature behaviours. I work at the intersection of psychology, design, and policy to create applied solutions that deliver measurable benefits for people and biodiversity. This includes developing tools, frameworks, and interventions that influence policy, inform urban design, and shape cultural change.

I have published over 100 research papers in leading scientific journals. This extensive body of work demonstrates sustained leadership in nature connectedness research, combining theoretical development with applied interventions that influence policy, practice, and public engagement. From high-impact journal articles to practical handbooks, I am committed to translating science into real-world wellbeing and conservation outcomes.

Research Methods

My research employs a mixed-methods approach that integrates quantitative and qualitative techniques to understand and improve the human–nature relationship. I have developed and validated measures such as the Nature Connection Index and Pro-Nature Conservation Behaviour Scale, enabling population-level analysis and intervention evaluation. Experimental and longitudinal studies assess the impact of nature-based interventions on wellbeing and behaviour, complemented by systematic reviews and meta-analyses to synthesise evidence. I apply design frameworks like the Pathways to Nature Connectedness across policy, education, and urban planning, supported by mixed-method evaluations combining surveys, interviews, and behavioural data. At a macro scale, I use national datasets and agent-based modelling to explore societal trends and leverage points for transformational change.

Research Projects

I have led and delivered numerous research projects, including work packages on UKRI-funded programmes exceeding £1 million. Alongside these large-scale projects, I have secured and managed a wide range of research contracts and knowledge exchange initiatives with partners such as the National Trust, Natural England, British Butterfly Conservation Trust, Canal and Rivers Trust, and the City of London. This portfolio reflects my ability to combine rigorous academic research with applied solutions that meet the needs of government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

Impact and Applications

Our Pathways to Nature Connectedness design framework has been widely adopted by organisations in the UK and internationally to help connect people with nature. Applications include:

• Visitor experience and engagement at nature reserves.
• Green social prescribing and mental wellness programmes.
• Policy briefings, building and landscape design, artworks, leadership development, and education.
• Case studies from partners such as Natural England, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, and Plymouth City Council are featured in our Nature Connection Handbook.

Policy and Programme Influence:

• The pathways research informs the Government’s Green Influencers scheme and Green Recovery Challenge Fund guidance, shaping initiatives such as Generation Green (YHA, Scouts, National Parks), reaching over two million young people.
• Wildlife Trusts used the pathways to design 30 Days Wild (over one million participants in first five years).
• National Trust adopted pathways for visitor experience design, including the refresh of 50 Things to do before you’re 11¾.
• The pathways have informed physical spaces such as the Butterfly House at Durrell Zoo and Silence at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
• Included in UN evidence reviews (e.g., Stockholm+50) and policy briefings for transformative change.

Policy Impact

• Approaching 50% of my research outputs have policy impact, totalling over 200 citations in 142 policy documents by 59 intergovernmental, governmental, and think tank organisations across 16 countries, including:
• United Nations, WHO, OECD, UNESCO, IPCC, IPBES, IUCN, European Union, CDC.
• UK Government, Parliament, Defra, Royal Society.
• Governments of France, Finland, South Africa, New Zealand, and others.
• Think tanks such as RAND Corporation, New Economics Foundation, and Policy Exchange.
• These citations span organisations in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, South Africa, Swaziland, and the European Union.

Mental Health and Wellbeing:

• My research informs green social prescription schemes and the Mental Health Foundation’s 2021 Mental Health Awareness Week – the world’s largest mental health campaign.
• My ‘Three Good Things in Nature’ approach features in the RSPBs nature prescription projects.

Measurement Tools:

• Developed the Nature Connection Index (NCI) for population surveys, identifying the ‘teenage dip’ in nature connection, and adapted for use across Europe.
• Created Pro-Nature Conservation Behaviour Scale (ProCoBS) – the first validated scale for active biodiversity-supporting behaviours.
• Both measures included in Natural England’s People & Nature Survey.

Biodiversity Stripes:

• Developed the biodiversity stripes, adopted by the global Nature Positive campaign led by Nature4Climate.
• Featured at several COPs, French Parliament, Natural History Museum, and in national media.

Experience in industry

My work is highly applied and impactful: from informing UN evidence reviews and government policy to designing national campaigns and green social prescribing programmes. It has shaped national guidance and global initiatives, influencing programmes such as 30 Days Wild (Wildlife Trusts), 50 Things to do before you’re 11¾ (National Trust), and the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund. I also contributed to Department for Education guidance on Biophilic Design principles, informing the UK’s first Biophilic School.

I have worked closely with Natural England, National Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, and many other NGOs to embed the Pathways to Nature Connectedness framework in practice. This includes visitor experience design, educational programmes, leadership development, and green social prescribing. My research also informs cultural initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness Week and creative projects including the Tune into Nature Music Prize and biodiversity stripes campaign.

International experience

My research has global reach, contributing to UN evidence reviews and international policy. I was nominated by the UK Government to serve as a Lead Author for the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Transformative Change Assessment.

I'm regularly invited to deliver keynote speeches at international conferences and have advised on strategies for improving the human–nature relationship worldwide. My work has informed campaigns adopted by global coalitions and featured in international forums, reflecting its significance for biodiversity and wellbeing.

Recent publications

Richardson, M., Lengieza, M., White, M. P., Tran, U. S., Voracek, M., Stieger, S., & Swami, V. (2025). Macro-level determinants of nature connectedness: An exploratory analysis of 61 countries. Ambio, 1-21.

Richardson, M. (2025). Modelling nature connectedness within environmental systems: Human–nature relationships from 1800 to 2020 and beyond. Earth, 6(3).

Lengieza, M. L., Richardson, M., & Hughes, J. P. (2025). Feature networks: The environmental features that are central to nature-connectedness experiences. Landscape and Urban Planning, 259, 105362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2025.105362

Alcock, I., Sheffield, D., White, P. C. L., & Richardson, M. (2025). How are nature exposures and nature connectedness related to well‐being and environmentalism in the population of England? People and Nature, 7(6), 1351–1365. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10567

Lengieza, M. L., Richardson, M., & Aviste, R. (2025). Situation networks: The emotions and activities that are central to nature-connectedness experiences. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 101, 102491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102491

Richardson, M., Butler, C. W., Alcock, I., Tindley, A., Sheffield, D., & White, P. C. L. (2025). Introducing heritage connectedness: Connections to people, nature and place across time are associated with wellbeing and environmentalism. The Historic Environment: Policy & Practice, 16(1), 38–58. 

Alcock, I., Sheffield, D., White, P. C., Coventry, P. A., Hunt, M. L., & Richardson, M. (2025). Green pathways to mental health: Relationships between treescapes and well‐being and distress. People and Nature.

In the media

My work regularly features in national international media highlighting its impact on policy, culture, and public engagement. Recent coverage includes research showing a 60% decline in human connection to nature over 200 years, Britain ranking among the least nature-connected nations globally and initiatives such as the Tune Into Nature Music Prize celebrating creative engagement with biodiversity. 

Additional interests and activities

My Spectator Book of the Year, Reconnection: Fixing our Broken Relationship with Nature was published April 2023 and a follow-up, The Blackbird’s Song, in October 2024.

Courses

• Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)
• Behaviour Change (incorporating PG Dip/PG Cert) MSc