Lauryn Hart

This project investigates human-pest relationality in suburban and urban ecological contexts to uncover attitudes, behaviors, and experiences that challenge narratives of humanity's separation from and dominance over nature. The Ecopsychological Narrative Inquiry (EPNI) methodology, as described by Pye (Pye 2024), explores how humans reimagine relations with unwanted beings, examining the potential to transform anthropocentric behaviors into reciprocity and care. This research enriches our understanding of multispecies interdependence in suburban ecologies by weaving narratives from human and other-than-human suburban dwellers. Through the lens of Ecological Psychology, it illuminates the intricate web of relationships that shape our shared habitats, contributing to the evolving knowledge of interspecies connections and the complex dynamics of suburban ecosystems. Findings reveal mutualistic engagement with pests can profoundly change ecological perception and stewardship. This work has implications for ecopsychological education, urban and suburban planning, agriculture, government policy, as well as the development of more inclusive, healthy, and biodiverse suburban spaces.

Dr. Lauryn Hart holds both an M.A. and D.A. in Ecological Psychology from Viridis Graduate Institute, where they specialized in climate response and resilience. They earned a B.A. in Psychology and European History from the University of California, Santa Cruz before working as a Research Assistant on the Binchester Roman Fort Excavation in North England.

Dr. Hart runs a consulting practice that helps organizations navigate complex decisions, digital transformation, and organizational change. They serve on the board of Death is a Verb, a non-profit dedicated to reshaping cultural narratives around death through education, art, and advocacy for human composting. Previously, they served as Vice President and Board Member of The Fungal Diversity Survey.

Guided by a deep curiosity and care for the more-than-human world, Dr. Hart’s work centers on ecological relationality, human narrative change, and the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies. Their current research explores human-pest relationality within destabilized ecosystems, as well as questions on AI ethics and cultural narratives. They also serve as a teacher, Advisory Board Member, and on capstone committees at Viridis Graduate Institute.

In recognition of their academic achievement and commitment to lifelong learning, Dr. Hart was elected to the Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society, an honor recognizing exceptional scholarship, intellectual engagement, and integrity.

Dr. Hart has presented on topics including Climate Narratives Are Changing Earth’s Climate, How Pests Change Narratives Around Human and Climate Relationality, and Understanding Narrative Landscapes Through Archaeological Contexts, reflecting their ongoing exploration of the relationships between humans, culture, technology, and the living world.