ENS5520 Understanding human behaviour to influence change
Faculty of Science
ENS5520 Understanding human behaviour to influence change is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ENS5520
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After ENS5520
No unit lists ENS5520 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: This is a specialist core unit for the Leadership for Sustainable Development specialisation and an elective unit within the other specialisations. There are no prerequisite units, but non-cognate students must complete Part B studies prior to undertaking Part C specialist studies.
Overview
Understanding and shifting human behaviour is critical to addressing many of the world’s pressing sustainability challenges. From waste reduction and water conservation to current health issues and social equity, many sustainability challenges require behaviour change. Designing effective solutions to address these issues depends on a clear understanding of the complex influences on human behaviour.
This unit introduces you to a structured, evidence-based approach for exploring and influencing behaviour in sustainability contexts. Drawing on behavioural science theory and practical tools, you will learn how to define behavioural problems, identify and prioritise opportunities for change, and apply behavioural models to develop effective, real-world solutions. Through a combination of conceptual learning and applied collaborative work, you will gain the skills needed to design behaviour change strategies that are grounded in research and responsive to the needs of people and the planet.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Online ev |
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Workshop engagementDemonstration15%
- Behaviour change pitchPresentation30%
- Applied behaviour change projectProject55%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Understand, and clearly define human behaviour;
- 2
Identify a range of behavioural drivers and apply theories of human behaviour to sustainability challenges;
- 3
Understand and implement a methodical, research-based behavioural science framework;
- 4
Explore and apply different research methods and tools to move from a challenge to a behaviour change solution;
- 5
Collaboratively design and effectively communicate a behaviour change initiative.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops30 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- One 2.5-hour workshop and
- Nine and a half hours of independent study per week.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit is taught via a “flipped classroom” approach, using a blend of pre-class independent online learning (readings, videos, activities) and live applied workshops (to be delivered via Zoom as appropriate). To gain maximum benefit from weekly live workshops, the online activities must be undertaken beforehand. You are expected to have a good understanding of the information and materials before attending class. The unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit engages you in enquiry-based learning, where you will be encouraged to use your own knowledge to develop and engage in a process of enquiry, study and research to identify areas to be investigated and an approach to doing so.
Where it fits
ENS5520 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Liam Smith
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Kavya Raj
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ENS5520?
ENS5520 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is ENS5520 offered?
In 2026, ENS5520 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does ENS5520 have an exam?
No. ENS5520 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ENS5520?
ENS5520 is part of Leadership for sustainable development and Policy studies.