Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Bernice is a Research Fellow at BehaviourWorks Australia in the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University. She is an applied behavioural scientist whose research focuses on understanding and changing behaviours to address complex social and community challenges. Her research has a particular focus on community safety and disaster risk reduction, alongside work across road safety, health, education and sustainability.
Bernice works closely with government and industry partners to translate behavioural science into practical solutions. Her research involves understanding the behavioural drivers of complex problems, identifying opportunities for change, and designing and evaluating interventions that are feasible, scalable, and relevant to real-world contexts. She has particular expertise in intervention development and evaluation, including randomised controlled trials, and in translating research findings into practical guidance for policy and practice.
Research interests
Applied behavioural science: Behaviour change; behavioural interventions; behaviour change communication; persuasion; self-persuasion; implementation intentions; social influence.
Community safety and disaster risk reduction: Community engagement; risk communication; risk perception; preparedness; resilience; emergency management; bushfire risk.
Other areas of application: Road safety; health; sustainability and environment; education.
Research and evaluation methods: Randomised controlled trials; field experiments; intervention development and evaluation; systematic reviews; behavioural measurement; mixed-methods research.
Research translation and impact: Translating behavioural science and research evidence into practical guidance, interventions and tools for policy and practice.
Research area keywords
- Behaviour Change
- Applied Behavioural Science
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Community safety
- Community engagement
- Risk communication
- Road Safety
- Randomised controlled trials
- Intervention evaluation
- Research translation
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Projects
- 8 Finished
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Climate Change Engagement and Communications Practice Review (Phase 2)
Plant, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Silva, G. (Project Manager) & Fadelli, M. (Project Manager)
1/02/25 → 30/04/25
Project: Research
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Developing a shared understanding of bushfire risk in Victoria
Plant, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Boulet, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Smith, L. (Chief Investigator (CI))
31/08/24 → 30/06/26
Project: Research
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Multicultural communities needs and gap analysis
Plant, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)) & Goodwin, D. (Chief Investigator (CI))
30/08/24 → 31/01/25
Project: Research
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Climate change engagement and communications practice review
Plant, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
1/01/23 → 1/08/23
Project: Research
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Incorporating behavioural insights around escalation and communication into RANZCOG online education and training materials.
Plant, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Kunstler, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Goodwin, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Wright, B. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/04/22 → 28/02/23
Project: Research
Research output
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Developing a Shared Understanding of Bushfire Risk in Victoria: Research-To-Practice Guide 2
Plant, B., Wild, A., Kellett, J. & Russell, S., 2026, Melbourne Vic Australia: BehaviourWorks Australia. 16 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other Report › Other
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Developing a Shared Understanding of Bushfire Risk in Victoria: Research-To-Practice Guide 1
Plant, B., Wild, A., Kellett, J. & Russell, S., 2026, Melbourne Vic Australia: BehaviourWorks Australia. 15 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other Report › Other
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Encouraging voluntary driving practice among learner drivers aged 21–30 in Victoria: a randomised controlled trial of behavioural interventions
Plant, B., Tull, F., Bartels, J., Mestroni, K. & Faulkner, N., Jan 2026, In: Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice. 203, 18 p., 104732.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
How to Use Research Evidence Well in Education: A Guide for Educators and Leaders
Rickinson, M., Walsh, L., Gleeson, J., Cutler, B., Plant, B., Boulet, M., Hall, G., Cirkony, C. & Salisbury, M., 2026, 1st ed. Abingdon UK: Routledge. 199 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › Other › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Safe and sound communities: understanding behavioural influences on preventable injuries
Plant, B., Sweeney, R., Genat, A., Meade, R., Beck, B. & Goodwin, D., Feb 2026, In: Safety Science. 194, 13 p., 107055.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Prizes
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Psychology Higher Degree Research Publication Prize
Plant, B. (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Recognition for Outstanding Coursework Instruction
Plant, B. (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference
Plant, B. (Speaker), Kellett, J. (Speaker) & Russell, S. (Speaker)
28 Apr 2026 → 1 May 2026Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) (Victoria) (External organisation)
Plant, B. (Member), Teychenne, D. (Member), Kellett, J. (Member) & Russell, S. (Member)
8 May 2026Activity: Industry, Government and Philanthropy Engagement and Partnerships › Continuing Professional Development - development/presentation of external courses
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Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) (Victoria) (External organisation)
Plant, B. (Member), Teychenne, D. (Member), Kellett, J. (Member) & Russell, S. (Member)
23 Apr 2026Activity: Industry, Government and Philanthropy Engagement and Partnerships › Continuing Professional Development - development/presentation of external courses
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Country Fire Authority (CFA) (Victoria) (External organisation)
Plant, B. (Member)
2025 → 2026Activity: Industry, Government and Philanthropy Engagement and Partnerships › Appointments or secondments to industry
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Fire & Climate Conference International Conference 2022
Braszell, J. (Speaker) & Plant, B. (Speaker)
2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
Press/Media
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How to set your 2024 financial goals, and tips to achieve them
31/01/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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The impulse to plan a move to where we holiday, explained
9/07/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Building community resilience to bushfires with behavioural science
Kneebone, S., Raj, K. & Plant, B.
23/02/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Blogs
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Why 2021 resolutions will look a little different this time
15/12/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Encouraging innovation in harm prevention
30/06/20
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature