Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
I am a behavioural scientist and UU Business School lecturer with experience working across NI government departments in supporting the design and delivery of public policy by applying behavioural science to tackle societal, environmental and economic challenges. This has ranged from debtor behaviour to COVID transmission, and from net zero to business innovation. I enjoy working to engage deeper understanding of human behaviour to support people and places, and working with those same people using co-design to ensure that they are active in the decision making and change processes that result. I am particularly invested in approaches that deliver new understanding of value, both environmental and social.
Research interests include:
behavioural science in policy design;
creative problem solving methodologies;
pathways to sustainable behaviour change; and
the application of behavioural science to drive environmental sustainability.
Education/Academic qualification
Unknown, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Advance HE (Higher Education Academy)
27 Aug 2024 → 24 Jun 2025
Award Date: 24 Jun 2025
PhD
Award Date: 2 Dec 2024
Master, English, Open University
Award Date: 29 Jan 2016
Bachelor, Psychology (Single Hons), Queens University Belfast
Award Date: 28 Jun 1999
External positions
Advisory Board Member, Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour
1 Jan 2025 → …
Co-Investigator, Future Island-Island
1 Oct 2024 → …
Co-Investigator, EPIC Futures NI
1 Mar 2024 → 1 Mar 2027
Blue Flag Jury Member, Foundation for Environmental Education
10 Oct 2023 → …
Chair, Sustainable NI
10 May 2022 → 30 Jun 2025
Behavioural Science expert, Safefood
30 Sept 2019 → 30 Sept 2022
Behavioural Scientist, NI Innovation Lab
17 Sept 2016 → 1 Sept 2024
Keywords
- BF Psychology
- Sustainability
- Design Thinking
- Behavioural science
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Rachael Singleton is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Improving the Working Lives of Women in Northern Ireland through Local Policy Innovation Partnership.
Heaps, A., Power, S., McLaughlin, M., Miller, K. & Singleton, R., 14 Mar 2026, (Published online) Social Sciences Impact Conference : Navigating Uncertainty, Creating Change .Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
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Messing around with messy challenges
Liebhaber, N., Singleton, R. & McCaffrey-Lau, M., 2026, (Accepted).Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract
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Place as Agency: An Investigation How Location, Locale and Sense of Place Shape Pathways for Returning to Work: Book of Abstracts
Power, S., McLaughlin, M., Singleton, R., Heaps, A. & Miller, K., 13 May 2026, (Published online) p. 66. 67 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
Open Access -
2nd UUBS Sustainable Futures Conference, Principles of Responsible Management Education
Duffy, M., Henderson, S. & Singleton, R., 8 May 2025, (Published online) 27 p. Ulster University.Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
Open AccessFile41 Downloads (Pure) -
Future Island-Island Impact Cards: Imaginarium Youth Engagement
Liebhaber, N. (Lead Author), McCaffrey-Lau, M., Pannasch, S. (Supporting Author), Henry, A. (Supporting Author), Dargie, S. (Supporting Author), Singleton, R. (Supporting Author) & Rahme, M. (Supporting Author), 2025, 1 ed. Belfast. 2 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open AccessFile25 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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Chartered Institution of Wastes Management NI
Singleton, R. (Speaker)
5 Mar 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
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Northern Ireland Waste and Resource Management Conference
Singleton, R. (Keynote speaker)
15 May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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2nd UUBS Sustainable Futures Conference, Principles of Responsible Management Education
Duffy, M. (Participant), Henderson, S. (Participant) & Singleton, R. (Organiser & Speaker)
8 May 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
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UK&I PRME Conference 2024
Singleton, R. (Speaker)
20 Jun 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
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Designing for destination pro-environmental behaviour change
Singleton, R. (Invited speaker)
9 Nov 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
Press/Media
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A scientist just like me - Primary Science Teaching Trust
4/07/23
2 Media contributions
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Blending Psychology and the Natural Environment
3/03/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
Thesis
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Applying behavioural science and user-centred design to increase visitor pro-environmental behaviour on beaches; reducing beach littering
Singleton, R. (Author), McLaughlin, M. (Supervisor), McMahon-Beattie, U. (Supervisor) & Power, S. (Supervisor), Nov 2024Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
Profiles
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EPIC Futures NI: Moving the dial on economic inactivity to build inclusive futures across Northern Ireland through partnerism, innovation and co-creation
Miller, K. (PI), Magill, M. (CoI), Ballantine, J. (CoI), McCracken, M. (CoI), Bradley-McCauley, L. (CoI), Wallace, J. (PI), O Neill, M. (CoI), Morrow, D. (CoI), Gray, A.-M. (CoI), Hetherington, G. (CoI), Power, S. (CoI), Millar, K. (CoI), Pollard, S. (CoI), McLaughlin, M. (CoI), Singleton, R. (CoI), Hampton, A. (CoI), Davey, S. (CoI), Heaps, A. (RA), Osekita, D. (RA), Van Matre, J. C. (RA) & O'Kane, K. (RA)
1/01/24 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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FII: AHRC funded Green Transition Ecosystem: Future Island-Island
Magee, J. (PI), Bates, J. (CoI), Folli, R. (CoI), Keeney, D. (CoI), Montgomery, I. (CoI), Power, S. (CoI), Dixon, B. (CoI), Parkin, A. (CoI), Gault, A. (CoI), Melki, H. (CoI), Fleming, K. (CoI), Dargie, S. (CoI), Quigley, T. (CoI), Chen, Y. (CoI), Logan, D. (CoI), Meakin, E. (CoI), Brolly, R. (CoI), Dunlop, P. (CoI), Moore, P. (CoI), McGinn, M. (CoI), Golden, S. (CoI), Lyons, F. (CoI), O'Connor, K. (CoI), Fomin, M. (CoI), Pourshahidi, K. (CoI), Charles, D. (CoI), Mc Garrigle, C. (CoI), Quinn, J. (CoI), McIlhagger, A. (CoI), Fernandez-Ibanez, P. (CoI), Byrne, J. (CoI), Forsythe, W. (CoI), O'Neill, P. (CoI), Jackson-Smyth, J. (CoI), Duffy, A. (CoI), Yazirlioglu, L. (CoI), Morgan, B. (CoI), Newell, K. (CoI) & Singleton, R. (CoI)
Arts and Humanities Research Council
1/10/23 → 30/09/25
Project: Research