Studying Human Adaptation: From Climate Change to the Classroom


Two questions lie at the heart of my work:

  • First, how do people react to changes or disruptions in their environment? How would you react, for example, if it rained so heavily that your house was at risk of flooding? What if your studies were overwhelming you to the point that you were in danger of failing/dropping out?
  • Second, how can we support and help people cope with and adapt to such changes and disturbances?

I attempt to respond to these questions from two vantage points: as a scientist and as an educator. You will find a selection of how I do that, below.


Research Activities

Climate Psychology: Since 2022, I have collaborated with Dr. Lars M. Eriksson on the research theme, Climate Change and Human Adaptation. My interest in this topic dates back to childhood and stems from my longstanding desire to understand how individuals and societies respond to disruption, whether psychological, organisational, or environmental. Our goal is to shed light on how to strengthen local adaptive capacity in the face of an escalating global climate crisis.

Educational Psychology: Since 2011, I also have worked with Drs. Ulrik Terp and Lars Eriksson on the research theme Cognitive Enhancement in Higher Education. This research focuses on investigating how university courses can be designed to enhance student learning in practical and feasible ways. A key focus of this research is determining when and how and to teach self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies. Our goal is to provide students with the tools necessary for more effective learning and to reduce the risk of dropping out.

Social Work: Since March 2025, I have worked as a research assistant for Professor Dr. Evelina Landstedt on the project Schooling, Developmental Trajectories, and School Experiences of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Project, which is a longitudinal study within the SOFIA project. I synthesise findings from systematic database searches to support the project's evidence base.

Societal Risk Management: Between November 2022 and March 2023 I worked as a research assistant at The Centre for Societal Risk Research for Associate Professor Dr. Magnus Johansson where I authored a study for the Swedish National Knowledge Center for Climate Adaptation (SMHI), analysing experiences of app-based storytelling of local climate change impacts.

  • I am also applying to Ph.D. programs because I want to expand my knowledge of how humans respond to and adapt to disruption. You can find a summary of my three recent research proposals [here].

Publications and Works in Progress

  • Friedl, J., & Eriksson, L. (2025). Phenomenological aspects of decision-making in managing heavy rainfall at the sharp end  [Manuscript under review].
  • Friedl, J., & Eriksson, L. (2025). Experiencing climate-change consequences from app-guided storytelling in climate walks  [Manuscript under review]. 
  • Terp, U., & Friedl, J. (2025). Is it worthwhile to invest time teaching students effective study strategies? [Conference session contribution submitted]. 
  • Friedl, J., & Eriksson, L. (2025). Decision-making in managing heavy rainfall at the sharp end: a quantitative analysis [In Preparation; to be submitted fall 2025].
  • Terp, U., & Friedl, J. (2025). Transitioning from secondary to higher education: promoting student learning and metacognition for first year students [In preparation; final data collection fall 2025]. 
  • Friedl, J. (2023). Mobile app-guided climate walks: experiences and insights into climate change and weather-related events [Report]. Center for Research on Societal Risks, Karlstad University. 
  • Friedl, J., & Eriksson, L. (2017, September 18–20). On implementing epistemology variation and cognitive enhancement for improved learning in Higher Education [Poster presentation]. European Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference, Salzburg, Austria. 
  • Friedl, J., & Eriksson, L. (2016, September 15). Psychology for effective learning [Conference session]. Teaching and Examination Conference (2016), Karlstad University.
  • Friedl, J., Eriksson, M. & Henningsson, H. (2014). Psychology for Effective Learning [Report]. Karlstad University, Sweden.

Teaching Activities

My teaching activities reflect my interest in how individuals and communities experience, respond to, and adapt to environmental changes and/or disruptions. I

  • Teach, design and deliver bachelor’s and master’s level courses in psychology (e.g., communication, organisational and leadership psychology, conflict management and mediation, developmental and environmental psychology), social work, sociology and societal risk management (e.g., risk perception, crisis communication).
  • Guide students in qualitative and quantitative research strategies and analysis.
  • Supervise bachelor’s theses.
  • Teach and supervise in courses executed by the Swedish Defence University (fall 2024) and Örebro University (spring 2025).
  • Create instructional materials, learning activities, and assignments based on current educational research and learning theories, using both interactive (i. e., role-plays) as well as digital tools to create stimulating and engaging learning environments.
  • Am committed to ongoing pedagogical and academic development to ensure the quality of my teaching.
  • Was nominated for “Best Teacher of the Year” (2024 and 2018) by Karlstad Student Union.
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