Current and recent major projects
PEACE — Participatory Engagement for Adaptation and Conservation
Biodiversa+ Partnership · European Commission · 2026–2029
Role: PI of one Work Package and co-PI of the consortium.
PEACE investigates how participatory approaches can support biodiversity conservation in sub-Saharan Africa.
Total consortium funding: 1.8 million €
Funding for my project part: 288,520€
Co-PIs: B. Vollan, E. Blanco, M. Burnett, N. Farwig, P. Jansen, C. Schill, D. Silvestro, C. Tambling
Credence Goods, Incentives, and Behavior — Theory, Lab, and Field
Special Research Program (SFB) · Austrian Science Fund (FWF) · 2021–2026
Role: PI of two project parts and co-PI of the consortium. My projects focused on information provision in green markets and insurance against information asymmetries.
This interdisciplinary research program brought together approximately 20 researchers to study how information, incentives, and behavioral biases shape decisions in markets for credence goods.
APCC Assessment Report on Climate Change in Austria
Climate and Energy Fund Austria · 2022–2025
Role: Coordinating Lead Author for the chapter on navigating demand-side transformations towards net-zero societies.
The assessment brought together more than 120 researchers to synthesize evidence on climate change in Austria.
Providing Ecosystem Services When Outsiders Support Insiders
Austrian Science Fund (FWF) · 2019–2024
PI: Esther Blanco
This project examined how external incentives and institutions affect cooperation and the provision of ecosystem services in communities managing shared natural resources.
Resource Degradation and Ecosystem Services in Common Pool Resources
Austrian Science Fund (FWF) · 2014–2019
PI: Esther Blanco
This project investigated how resource scarcity and degradation affect cooperation and the sustainable management of common-pool resources.
Previous research projects
Transnational Environmental Goods and Behavioral Models: Biodiversity and Climate Change
Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness · 2018–2020
co-PIs: Jose Luis Oviedo Pro, Alejandro Caparros Gass
Role: Named researcher
Theory and Experiments on Norm Compliance and Voluntary Action
Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness · 2015–2017
PI: Carmen Arguedas
Role: Named researcher
Exploring the Variability in Responses to Scarcity Shocks: Austria and Colombia
Hypo Tirol Bank Research Promotion Award · 2012–2013
PI: Esther Blanco
Scarcity Shocks: Endowment and Marginal Effects
University of Innsbruck, Projects for Young Talents · 2011–2013
PI: Esther Blanco
Institutions, Economic Incentives, and Environmental Behavior
University of Innsbruck, Projects for Young Talents · 2010–2011
PI: Esther Blanco
Awareness Raising and Capacity Building for Better Management of Natural Resources
Government of the Balearic Islands · 2009–2010
PI: Antoni Llull Gilet
Role: Named researcher
Experimental Economics for Better Management of Natural Resources in Tourism Destinations
Government of the Balearic Islands · 2009
PI: Catalina Natividad Juaneda
Role: Named researcher
A Strategic Approach for Managing Economic Benefits at Mass Nature-Based Tourism Destinations
Government of the Balearic Islands · 2007–2009
PI: Catalina Natividad Juaneda
Role: Researcher
Destination Rejuvenation Strategies — Policies and Measures
Spanish Ministry of Education and Science · 2006–2008
PI: Catalina Natividad Juaneda
Role: Researcher
Fidelity and Seasonality Analysis in Post-Stagnation Stages of Mature Sun-and-Sand Tourism Destinations
Spanish Ministry of Education and Science · 2002–2005
PI: Catalina Natividad Juaneda Sampol
Role: Researcher