Leaders in Behavioral Science and Food Systems
Join us for a three-part series exploring how behavioral science can revolutionize our approach to climate change, sustainable food systems, and how to reshape the cultural narratives that guide our choices.
Featured Experts
Join us for a unique conversation with Cass Sunstein, a renowned American legal scholar recognized for his contributions to U.S. constitutional law, environmental law, and behavioral economics. He is also a New York Times best-selling author, known for his influential book, “Nudge,” that transformed how we approach behavioral change without restricting freedom—a concept now essential to sustainable food advocacy.
His latest book, “Climate Justice: What Rich Nations Owe the World—and the Future,” is compelling because it argues that wealthy nations must take financial responsibility for climate impacts affecting vulnerable countries. Americans consume more meat per person than nearly any other nation, so our food choices carry significant climate implications.
This timely conversation will explore the intersection of dietary choices, food narratives, climate change, and his upcoming work on fake news and freedom of speech.
Cass Sunstein: Legal scholar and co-author of the influential NYT bestseller “Nudge,” discussing climate responsibility, food choice architecture, and shifting cultural food narratives, and his upcoming work covering fake news and freedom of speech.
Why do we struggle to stick to diets or keep reaching for meat despite its risks to our health and the planet?
This session will uncover the psychology of eating, how habits, defaults, values, stereotypes, and identities shape our food choices.
We will explore the role of narratives of dominance, naturalness, and compassion in promoting plant-based foods, reveal what works and what fails when it comes to messaging and labeling, and highlight powerful behavior-change tools that can nudge us toward healthier, more sustainable choices.
Dr. Sophie Atwood: Leading behavioral scientist specializing in sustainable food transitions and the psychology behind changing deeply-held food preferences.
Better Food Foundation’s Nudge Training Workshop: Put theory into practice with our hands-on workshop, where you’ll master evidence-based strategies to implement in your institution, business, or community. Learn the top five nudge strategies to not only change food environments but also transform the stories we tell about food—creating measurable shifts toward sustainable, plant-forward choices.
Transform how you approach sustainability and food systems advocacy with insights from the world’s foremost behavioral science experts.
Latest News
See All News39 Campus Wins for Student-Led Plant-Based Nudges & Defaults
Sixty-five students, two semesters each, 39 changes to how campus food gets served. Here’s what the first year-long DefaultVeg 2025-26 cohort accomplished. And the next 90 interns start this Fall.
5 Takeaways on Plant-Based Campus Dining from NACUFS 2026
Five takeaways from our panel and the conference floor, on why the values-behavior gap is a design problem and what students actually order when you get it right.
Storytelling as Climate Strategy: Nudge Workshop with LARC & YP2F
Shredded Shiitake Mushroom Tacos. BBQ Jackfruit Wrap. Tropicali Flan made from kelp. Here’s what happened when BFF brought behavioral science to LA journalists at LARC x YP2F.