Bridging Psychology and Climate: Ash’s Journey into Ecopsychology
Raised in Johannesburg and rooted in the Western desert of Australia, this Colin Powell School senior has long carried a global perspective. After moving to New York City twelve years ago, they’ve come to call it home—but their deep connection to the land and its people remains central to everything they do. Now in their final year of the BA/MA Psychology program, they’re drawing from this cross-continental experience to explore a subject as timely as it is urgent: the psychological impact of climate change.
For the past year, their research has centered on understanding how climate change affects mental health. “It’s a deeply personal issue,” they say. “My hometown, like so many places around the world, is under growing threat from pollution and climate shifts. Studying the psychological dimensions of climate change felt like a way to contribute meaningfully—to understand not just what’s happening, but why we react the way we do and what motivates us to take action.”
This work—part of their BA/MA thesis—reflects a broader mission: to bring psychological insight into the climate conversation. By examining the mental and emotional toll of environmental change, they hope to help shape more empathetic and effective responses to the crisis.
Their time at the Colin Powell School has been pivotal in making this vision possible. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the open doors and spontaneous conversations I’ve had with faculty,” they reflect. “Some of the most impactful moments came from cold emails or last-minute drop-ins that turned into real mentorship.” Those experiences sparked a new sense of direction, one that now includes applying to PhD programs with a focus on ecopsychology.
Looking ahead, they hope to bridge research and practice—combining their passion for environmental psychology with a commitment to counseling and care. PhD programs in both Australia and the U.S. are on their radar, from cutting-edge institutes in California to familiar institutions here in New York. As they see it, the field of ecopsychology is just beginning to expand—and there’s room to make an impact on both sides of the globe.
Their advice to other students? “Apply to a fellowship!” they urge, pointing to their own experience as a Climate Policy Fellow. “It’s one of the best ways to build community, connect with faculty, and discover new paths you hadn’t considered. I just wish I had joined one earlier.”
When asked to sum up the Colin Powell School in three words, the answer comes easily: “Interdisciplinary, transformative, and welcoming.” Words that reflect not just their experience at CPS, but the kind of impact they hope to make as they take the next step in their journey.
