Introduction

Maddy Vollebregt is a PhD candidate in the Marketing department since February 2022. She has a BSc in Environmental Science and Management and recently completed her MSc in Industrial Ecology (joint degree from TU Delft and Leiden University). Maddy’s research studies the effect of consumption on happiness by linking carbon footprint to consumption and well-being. Material consumption may increase happiness but there may be no further progress beyond a certain point, and happiness may even decline. It’s expected that consuming less results in a lower carbon impact, but consuming or spending more, but differently e.g. via sharing platforms, can also lower footprint. New ways of sustainable consumption practices with a lower footprint may increase wellbeing in comparison to traditional practices. The goal of this research is to find the ‘sweet spot’ of consumption. This PhD project is part of the faculty’s initiative to research 21st century global challenges.