Professor Matthew Hornsey
Professor

Matthew Hornsey

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 31218

Background

Supported by over 20 external grants - including an ARC Laureate - I am known for developing insights around three themes: (1) rejection of science and technology, (2) pro-environmental behaviour, and (3) intergroup relations. In each domain I have developed unique models designed to understand the logic behind supposedly “irrational” behaviour, and used them to facilitate attitude and behaviour change. My most recent work focuses on understanding (and reducing) people’s motivations to reject scientific consensus, including the psychology of climate inaction. Matthew is currently leading the Net Zero Observatory at the University of Queensland, a multi-disciplinary group of academics and practitioners who design strategies to accelerate industry action and community support for rapid decarbonisation.

Availability

Professor Matthew Hornsey is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Communication and media studies Psychology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Rejection of science

    I examine the psychological motivations for people to reject scientific consensus, with a particular emphasis on the psychology of climate change skepticism and vaccine hesitancy.

  • Prejudice and intergroup relations

    I examine the psychology of why hostility emerges between nations, religions, ideologies etc. I then use these insights to examine what can be done to ease intergroup tensions.

  • Conspiracy theories

    I examine why people believe in conspiracy theories, the consequences of conspiracy theories, and strategies for reducing their negative impacts

Search Professor Matthew Hornsey’s works on UQ eSpace

266 works between 1998 and 2026
All (266) Book (4) Journal Article (224) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (18) Book Chapter (18)

21 - 40 of 266 works

2025

Journal Article

Social identification and charitable giving: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Chapman, Cassandra M., Spence, Jessica L., Hornsey, Matthew J. and Dixon, Lucas (2025). Social identification and charitable giving: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 54 (6), 1308-1341. doi: 10.1177/08997640251317403

Social identification and charitable giving: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2025

Journal Article

Social norms and charitable giving: a meta-analytic review

Chapman, Cassandra M., Spence, Jessica, Dixon, Lucas, Smith, Aimee E. and Hornsey, Matthew J. (2025). Social norms and charitable giving: a meta-analytic review. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 01461672251383996, 1461672251383996. doi: 10.1177/01461672251383996

Social norms and charitable giving: a meta-analytic review

2025

Journal Article

Balancing simplicity and complexity through corporate emissions benchmarking

Rekker, Saphira, Axelsson, Kaya, Bjørn, Anders, Greig, Chris, Heede, Richard, Hornsey, Matthew J., Humphrey, Jacquelyn E., Ives, Matthew, Kampmann, David, Roelfsema, Mark, Rose, Adrien, Stubbs, Sue-Lyn and Wade, Belinda (2025). Balancing simplicity and complexity through corporate emissions benchmarking. Nature Climate Change, 15 (11), 1127-1129. doi: 10.1038/s41558-025-02467-y

Balancing simplicity and complexity through corporate emissions benchmarking

2025

Journal Article

Organizational responses to whistleblowers: How to overcome willful ignorance relating to social identity processes in organizations

Ellemers, Naomi, de Gilder, Dick, Hornsey, Matthew J. and Jetten, Jolanda (2025). Organizational responses to whistleblowers: How to overcome willful ignorance relating to social identity processes in organizations. Current Opinion in Psychology, 65 102080, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2025.102080

Organizational responses to whistleblowers: How to overcome willful ignorance relating to social identity processes in organizations

2025

Journal Article

The promise and limitations of using GenAI to reduce climate scepticism

Hornsey, Matthew J., Pearson, Samuel, Bretter, Christian, MacInnes, Sarah, Nylund, Jarren L. and Rekker, Saphira (2025). The promise and limitations of using GenAI to reduce climate scepticism. Nature Climate Change, 15 (11), 1-17. doi: 10.1038/s41558-025-02425-8

The promise and limitations of using GenAI to reduce climate scepticism

2025

Journal Article

Social and cognitive factors shaping conspiracy theorizing across the life course

Hornsey, Matthew J., Imuta, Kana and Bierwiaczonek, Kinga (2025). Social and cognitive factors shaping conspiracy theorizing across the life course. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 155 (1), 54-72. doi: 10.1037/xge0001847

Social and cognitive factors shaping conspiracy theorizing across the life course

2025

Journal Article

The climate activist’s dilemma: Extreme protests reduce movement support but raise climate concern and intentions

Nylund, Jarren L., Thai, Michael and Hornsey, Matthew J. (2025). The climate activist’s dilemma: Extreme protests reduce movement support but raise climate concern and intentions. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 106 102682, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102682

The climate activist’s dilemma: Extreme protests reduce movement support but raise climate concern and intentions

2025

Journal Article

Data from 88 countries reveal international predictors of climate activism

Pearson, Samuel, Kutlaca, Maja, Rekker, Saphira and Hornsey, Matthew J. (2025). Data from 88 countries reveal international predictors of climate activism. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 105 102680, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102680

Data from 88 countries reveal international predictors of climate activism

2025

Journal Article

Morality, justice, and collective climate action

Hornsey, Matthew J., Nylund, Jarren L. and Thai, Michael (2025). Morality, justice, and collective climate action. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 64 101541, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101541

Morality, justice, and collective climate action

2025

Journal Article

Mapping, understanding and reducing belief in misinformation about electric vehicles

Bretter, Christian, Pearson, Samuel, Hornsey, Matthew J., MacInnes, Sarah, Sassenberg, Kai, Wade, Belinda and Winter, Kevin (2025). Mapping, understanding and reducing belief in misinformation about electric vehicles. Nature Energy, 10 (7), 869-879. doi: 10.1038/s41560-025-01790-0

Mapping, understanding and reducing belief in misinformation about electric vehicles

2025

Journal Article

Psychological and contextual determinants of clean energy technology adoption

Günther, Anne, Engel, Lukas, Hornsey, Matthew J., Nielsen, Kristian S., Roy, Joyashree, Steg, Linda, Tam, Kim-Pong, van Valkengoed, Anne M., Wolske, Kimberly S., Wong-Parodi, Gabrielle and Hahnel, Ulf J. J. (2025). Psychological and contextual determinants of clean energy technology adoption. Nature Reviews Clean Technology, 1 (8), 547-565. doi: 10.1038/s44359-025-00075-9

Psychological and contextual determinants of clean energy technology adoption

2025

Journal Article

Conspiracy belief and opposition to wind farms: a longitudinal study

Winter, Kevin, Pummerer, Lotte, von Oertzen, Timo, Hornsey, Matthew J. and Sassenberg, Kai (2025). Conspiracy belief and opposition to wind farms: a longitudinal study. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 104 102620, 102620. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102620

Conspiracy belief and opposition to wind farms: a longitudinal study

2025

Journal Article

Machine learning identifies key individual and nation-level factors predicting climate-relevant beliefs and behaviors

Todorova, Boryana, Steyrl, David, Hornsey, Matthew J., Pearson, Samuel, Brick, Cameron, Lange, Florian, Van Bavel, Jay J., Vlasceanu, Madalina, Lamm, Claus and Doell, Kimberly C. (2025). Machine learning identifies key individual and nation-level factors predicting climate-relevant beliefs and behaviors. npj Climate Action, 4 (1) 46, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s44168-025-00251-4

Machine learning identifies key individual and nation-level factors predicting climate-relevant beliefs and behaviors

2025

Journal Article

As countries become more affluent, climate change attitudes are more politically polarised

Czarnek, Gabriela, Hornsey, Matthew J., Bucki, Szymon and Kossowska, Małgorzata (2025). As countries become more affluent, climate change attitudes are more politically polarised. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 103 102579, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102579

As countries become more affluent, climate change attitudes are more politically polarised

2025

Journal Article

Serving three masters: thematic analyses reveal inherent ethical tensions in fundraising

Chapman, Cassandra M., Hornsey, Matthew J., Bleiker, Roland and Hutchison, Emma (2025). Serving three masters: thematic analyses reveal inherent ethical tensions in fundraising. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 55 (1) 08997640251323586, 31-56. doi: 10.1177/08997640251323586

Serving three masters: thematic analyses reveal inherent ethical tensions in fundraising

2025

Journal Article

Intergroup conflict over climate change: problems and solutions

Hornsey, Matthew J., Fielding, Kelly S., Marshall, George and Louis, Winnifred R. (2025). Intergroup conflict over climate change: problems and solutions. European Journal of Social Psychology, 55 (2), 243-250. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.3127

Intergroup conflict over climate change: problems and solutions

2025

Journal Article

Overcoming climate gridlock: perspectives of climate leaders on how to achieve social change during persistent failure in Australia

Acevedo, Janquel D., Disney, Ava, Fielding, Kelly S., Amiot, Catherine E., Hornsey, Matthew J., Moghaddam, Fathali M., Thomas, Emma F., Sutherland, Stewart, Wibisono, Susilo and Louis, Winnifred R. (2025). Overcoming climate gridlock: perspectives of climate leaders on how to achieve social change during persistent failure in Australia. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 35 (2) e70073, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/casp.70073

Overcoming climate gridlock: perspectives of climate leaders on how to achieve social change during persistent failure in Australia

2025

Journal Article

The elite global citizen: how wealth shapes cosmopolitan identity and charitable intentions

Manokara, Kunalan, Hornsey, Matthew J. and Jetten, Jolanda (2025). The elite global citizen: how wealth shapes cosmopolitan identity and charitable intentions. European Journal of Social Psychology, 55 (1), 99-118. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.3114

The elite global citizen: how wealth shapes cosmopolitan identity and charitable intentions

2025

Journal Article

The cosmic calendar: being reminded of the vastness of time can improve wellbeing

Hornsey, Matthew J., Tyson, Courtney, Ferris, Laura J., Crimston, Charlie R., Faulkner, Callum and Barlow, Fiona Kate (2025). The cosmic calendar: being reminded of the vastness of time can improve wellbeing. Journal of Positive Psychology, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/17439760.2025.2481039

The cosmic calendar: being reminded of the vastness of time can improve wellbeing

2025

Book Chapter

Understanding the political and psychological roots of climate misinformation and its Impact on public opinion

Stecuła, Dominik A., Cook, John, Krishna, Arunima, Wójcik, Adrian Dominik, Hochsprung Miguel, Jean Carlos, Hornsey, Matthew and Benegal, Salil (2025). Understanding the political and psychological roots of climate misinformation and its Impact on public opinion. Climate obstruction: a global assessment. (pp. 185-211) edited by J. Timmons Roberts, Carlos R. S. Milani, Jennifer Jacquet and Christian Downie. New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780197787144.003.0007

Understanding the political and psychological roots of climate misinformation and its Impact on public opinion

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    Understanding and overcoming community roadblocks to achieving net-zero
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Mapping the psychology of accent-based discrimination
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Visualising humanitarian crises: transforming images and aid policy
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    The psychology of understanding and reducing conspiracy beliefs
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Understanding and overcoming public rejection of scientific innovation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Behind a moral shield: Responses to trust breaches in mission-based groups
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Trust breaches in the not-for-profit sector: Causes, consequences and solutions
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Understanding (and responding to) scepticism about science
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Identifying and resolving challenges to the effectiveness of collective apologies (ARC Discovery Project administered by Flinders University)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Sending and responding to messages about climate change: The role of emotion and morality
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    UQ Category 1 Travel Award - Geoff MacDonald
    UQ Travel Awards for International Collaborative Research (Category 1)
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Promoting intergroup forgiveness: The benefits and pitfalls of apologies and invocations of shared humanity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Emotional and political reactions to representations of terrorism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    UQ Travel Awards Category 1, Dr Michael Wohl
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2015
    Rebuilding Government Legitimacy in Post-Conflict Societies: Case Studies of Nepal and Afghanistan/ Rebuilding institutional legitimacy in post-conflict societies: An Asia-Pacific Case Study, Phase 1A
    United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Negotiating the minefield: social conventions surrounding group criticism and their role in explaining defensiveness
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The bitter pill: The psychology of giving and taking interpersonal criticism
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    What people say and do in response to negative feedback: Explaining and reducing defensiveness toward individual and group criticism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Exploring The Link Between Group Processes And Outcomes Of Group Psychotherapy
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Using group processes to predict outcomes of group cognitive behaviour therapy
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Using group processes to predict outcomes of group cognitive behaviour therapy
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Linking group processes and outcomes in group cognitive behaviour therapy
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Understanding and reducing defensiveness in the face of group criticism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Understanding and reducing sensitivity to group criticism: The role of identity, trust, and loyalty
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Understanding and reducing sensitivity to intergroup and intragroup criticism.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2000
    The role of group prototypicality in intergroup discrimination
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Matthew Hornsey is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding and reducing misinformation about climate change

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Samuel Pearson

  • Master Philosophy

    Rethinking Climate Communication: Integrating Local Contexts and Behavioural Insights in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Nina Lansbury

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Public Perceptions of Climate Change Protests

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Michael Thai

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Matthew Hornsey directly for media enquiries about:

  • anti-science beliefs
  • climate change skepticism

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