The Nature Study
About the Study
The Nature Study aims to advance knowledge of the health benefits of time spent outdoors. Our goal is to learn how early life experiences and circumstances shape attitudes toward nature engagement throughout an individual’s life and potential connections to health outcomes.
This initiative began with researchers at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) conducting informal focus groups sessions across the U.S. These groups explored how individuals think of nature, how their ideas and experiences shape nature-affinity, and how time in nature differs by geography, personal preferences, and demographics.
This phase of research will investigate how long short-term changes in cognition, creativity, and mood change remain after spending time in nature. Your participation will take place entirely on an app we’ve developed to capture ecological momentary assessments—in other words, instantaneous responses—following nature immersion.
Whether or not you are an outdoor enthusiast or want to try a new experience in nature, we invite you to take part in this research. Please find below additional information about our study and register by clicking on the button below.
Meet The Team
Memo Cedeño Laurent, ScD
Research Associate
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Jack Spengler, PhD
Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
Linda Tomasso, MLA
Doctoral Candidate
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health