My research areas of emphasis include: motivated reasoning related to environmental risks; message approaches that can mitigate rejection of environmental and health risk messages; multi-disciplinary approaches to predicting energy-related behaviors and adoption of sustainable energy sources and technologies. My interdisciplinary work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Florida Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health.

Educational Background

• PhD, University of Alabama
• MA,  University of Alabama
• BA,  Indiana University

Recent Courses

• COM 471: Strategic Communication Campaigns
• COM 540: Persuasion and Social Influence

Current Research

• Self-persuasion and self-identity effects of user-generated content;
• Mediated methods of self-affirmation prior to exposure to health and environmental risk information;
• National Science Foundation-funded project to study consumer acceptance of AI-devices to manage home energy use and to increase use of sustainable energy sources;
• National Science Foundation-funded project to examine and model tradeoffs, decision-making, and communication among diverse stakeholders involved in complex environmental challenges (e.g., climate change and impacts, renewable energy, adaptive infrastructure, disasters, food insecurity, biodiversity loss).

Selected Publications 

Arpan., L., Yang, J., Shah, P., & Lee, B. (In press). Video-Based Group-Values Affirmation Reduces Defensive Responses to Risk Messages. Paper accepted for publication in Science Communication, June 2024.

Arpan, L., Ray, E., Sellers, N., Bravo, O., & Yan, Z. Self-effects of User-Generated Advocacy Messages on Self-Identity, Attitudes, and Intentions to Act (2024). Communication Research Reports, 41(2), 117–129. DOI: 10.1080/08824096.2024.2351368

Yan, Z., Liao, J., Dale, K., Arpan, L., & Raney, A. (2024). The Effects of Awe-inspiring Nature Videos on Connectedness to Nature and Pro-environmental Intentions. Psychology of Popular Media, Advance online publication. DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000521

Arpan, L., Rissetto, R. ^†, Yan, Z. ^†, Roetzel, A., Azar, E., Jazizadeh, F., Morandi, F., Zhu, Y., Heydarian, A., Bourikas, L., Huebner, G., Gasparella, A. (2022). The Hopeful Expect to Be Comfortable: Exploring Emotion and Personal Norms Related to Sustainable Buildings in the United States. Energy Research and Social Science, 93, 102846. DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2022.102846

Arpan, L., Ray, E., Sellers, N., & Bravo, O., Self-Effects of User-Generated Messages on Pro-environmental Identity (2022). Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 21(4), 368-382. DOI: 10.1080/1533015X.2022.2121329

He, T. , Jazizadeh, F., & Arpan, L. (2022) AI-powered Virtual Assistants Nudging Occupants for Energy Saving: Proactive Smart Speakers for HVAC Control. Building Research & Information, 50(4), 394-409. DOI: 10.1080/09613218.2021.2012119