Catho Vermeulen

 Catho.Vermeulen@UGent.be  | LinkedIn

Environmental values
Marine value orientations
Sustainable transition
Belgian coast

In 2022, Catho obtained her master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Ghent University. In parallel with her studies, she also followed the Ghent University Honours Programme ‘Quetelet Lectures’, a university-wide initiative to learn how to approach science from different disciplines and perspectives.

Shortly after her graduation, she started as a PhD Researcher at the Department of Communication Sciences. She is a member of the research group CJS (Center for Journalism studies) and is currently working on the Blue Balance project, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Veroline Cauberghe (UGent – Communication Sciences), Dr. Sara Vandamme (Marine@UGent), and Prof. Dr. Thijs Bouman (University of Groningen). 

The overall aim of the project is to increase public involvement and participation in the sustainable transition of the Flemish coastal region. This by first investigating the underlying psychological drivers, barriers and processes among coastal residents and tourists. She is especially interested in the relation between people’s environmental values and their more specific beliefs about the North Sea, also called the marine value orientations. And how they explain people’s norms, behaviour and acceptance for a sustainable transition. These insights will then be used to develop effective communication strategies.

Research Projects

BLUE BALANCE: Sustainable Economic Development of Flemish Coastal Areas For All