How to make healthy and sustainable eating stick | In-person

Why do some eating habits fade while others become part of everyday life? In this informal session, we’ll explore the behavioural science behind lasting dietary change – and what really helps people eat well for both their health and the environment.

Led by behavioural science experts, this interactive session will unpack how habits are formed, why willpower alone isn’t the answer, and what strategies actually stick. Together, we’ll reflect on everyday food behaviours, share common challenges, environmental factors, and explore research-backed ways to make meaningful changes.

Whether you’re curious about psychology, passionate about sustainability, or you’re looking for practical ways to make a big impact on your wellbeing – come along with your questions, ideas, and an open mind.

Please note:

This discussion will explore research on habit formation and eating behaviours, with a focus on sustainable, evidence-based strategies for general healthy eating. We recognise that conversations about food can be sensitive, especially for those with lived experience of disordered eating. Please feel free to engage in a way that feels safe and comfortable for you.

If you need support, organisations such as Beat Eating Disorders offer help and guidance. Their free helpline is available Monday to Friday, 15:00–20:00.While this event will focus on individual-level behaviours, we also acknowledge that eating habits are shaped by broader social, cultural, and political systems.

This event is an interactive session but you can be as involved as you feel comfortable doing so and will never be required to take part in an activity if you do not wish to do so. Pens and notepads will be provided.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+

• Filming: Photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed.
• Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.

SPEAKER

Dr Kimberly More

Lecturer in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews

Dr Kimberly More is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews specialising in health and social psychology. She received her PhD from Iowa State University in 2020. Her research explores how people’s identities, habits, and social environments influence their health and wellbeing. She takes a whole-person approach that considers psychological, social, and community factors. Kimberly is particularly interested in how we can help people move beyond good intentions – like planning to eat more vegetables or exercise more – and turn those intentions into lasting habits. Her work also looks at how community resources, such as local support networks and social infrastructure, can help people sustain healthy behaviours over time. Currently, she is focused on understanding how habits connect with other mental processes like self-control and identity, especially in communities that face higher health challenges.

SPEAKER

Professor Alison Phillips

Associate Professor, Iowa State University

Professor Alison Phillips is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University and director of the Healthy Habit Lab. She received her PhD in social psychology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 2011, with her dissertation focused on studying the influence of medication-taking habits versus patients’ beliefs about medicines on their subsequent adherence to medications for hypertension. Her research has subsequently focused on habit theory applied to complex health behaviours, such as exercising and dietary behaviours. Additionally, she has developed and tested interventions to help various populations form healthy habits.

SPEAKER

Dr Blair Saunders

Senior Lecturer, University of Dundee

Dr Blair Saunders is a Senior Lecturer of Psychology at the University of Dundee, specialising in self-regulation. Blair received his PhD from the University of St Andrews in 2014 and worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto until 2017. His work tries to understand the motivational and strategic processes that people use to change their own behaviour. He uses mixed methods to understand these processes, including in-depth analysis of behavioural, neuroscientific, and survey data.

SPEAKER

Professor Esther Papies

Professor, Radboud Universiteit

Professor Esther Papies is a social and health psychologist, and an expert in behaviour change in the domains of health and climate change. She received her PhD in 2008 from Utrecht University. Her research team examines the social and psychological processes in the transition to a healthier, more sustainable and more equitable society. Professor Papies has published extensively on what motivates eating and drinking behaviour, the motivations and barriers for reducing meat and dairy intake, the motivation for climate action among privileged individuals, emotional experiences with climate change, and other topics related to behaviour change and sustainability.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 6 − Saturday 14 September 2025!

Curious is a festival of ideas – open to all and driven by connection, conversation, and discovery. It’s a chance to explore ideas and questions that matter with some of Scotland’s leading thinkers – and with people who bring their own lived experiences, insights, and curiosity to the table.

From science and society to arts and innovation, the programme spans a wide range of topics – with each event designed to spark dialogue, invite different perspectives, and encourage knowledge exchange.

Curious is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, plus those who see the world differently, and be part of discussions where everyone is welcome to share, learn, and be inspired. Full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website: Accessibility - Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) : Royal Society of Edinburgh

The RSE is trialling the WelcoMe app for our public events. This app enables visitors with accessibility needs to discreetly inform our staff of any assistance required before their visit. Simply fill out a quick form with your needs and estimated arrival time, and our team will be ready to accommodate you.

Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on curious@therse.org.uk.

Privacy Policy

Please note that any personal data that is submitted to the RSE will be stored and processed in accordance with the RSE’s Privacy Policy. We will only use mobile numbers provided to contact you in the event of a cancellation.

Newsletter

If you would like to receive information from the RSE on forthcoming events and activities, including our Newsletter, please contact public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk

Please visit the RSE FAQs page for further details about venue and events.