Professor Liam Smith

Written By Suzie McErvale

Why Most Behavior Change Efforts Fail – and How to Do It Right

Professor Liam Smith, Co-Founder of BehaviourWorks Australia and lead councillor with the Biodiversity Council

In this episode, we explore how understanding human behaviour can unlock more effective environmental action.

Joining us is Professor Liam Smith, Director and Co-founder of BehaviourWorks Australia, one of the nation’s leading voices on behaviour change research. With more than 600 projects across government, industry, and the non-profit sector, Liam offers a grounded, research-driven lens on why change is so difficult - and how to do it better.

We dive into:

  • Why uncertainty holds us back - and how to move forward

  • Behavioural shifts needed for environmental and societal resilience

  • How behavioural frameworks can help communities take meaningful climate action

Liam delivers science-backed strategies to build a more sustainable, connected future. His insights bridge the gap between research and real-world application empowering decision-makers to create lasting, measurable change.

Want more?

If you’re inspired by our discussion with Professor Liam Smith, be sure to follow him on LinkedIn for more insights.

For a deeper dive into behaviour change and sustainability, don’t forget to check out his edited book, Inspiring Change: How to Influence Behaviour for a Better World.

Stay connected with the Let’s Check In Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok for conversations that help you navigate the messy middle of modern life.

Suzie McErvale
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Trudy Macdonald