For my master thesis topic it is important to me to listen to people with different experiences, perspectives, and priorities. That’s why I created three different interview guides to dive deeper into how people approach sustainable behavior in their daily lives. Before conducting the interviews, I wanted to share my thought process for designing the guides and, most importantly, why I chose three very different kinds of interview partners.
My goal is to understand the real barriers, motivations, and habits surrounding sustainability in various contexts. To do that, I needed interviewees who represent distinct viewpoints. In the following I will explain who these people are, why I chose them, and what I hope to learn from each conversation.
Interview Partner 1: A Social Worker in the Field of Homelessness
The first interview partner (let’s call them P1) is a social worker who has extensive experience working with people in challenging life situations, specifically in the area of homelessness. I chose P1 because they work closely with individuals who face systemic barriers, such as financial instability, lack of housing, and limited access to resources. These challenges often shape how people approach sustainability – if it’s even on their radar at all.
My goal with this interview is to better understand how social and economic disadvantages influence sustainable behavior. For example:
- How does limited income affect daily decisions like transportation, food, or clothing?
- Is sustainability seen as a privilege for people who don’t have to worry about survival first?
- What role does access to technology play in shaping their habits?
P1 can provide a window into a world where sustainability is often a secondary concern, and any actions taken (like using public transport or buying second-hand clothes) might be driven more by necessity than intention. This perspective is crucial because it can show the importance of making sustainability accessible to everyone – not just those with disposable income or extra time.
Interview Partner 2: A University Student Balancing Awareness and Convenience
The second interview partner (P2) is a young medical student in their early 20s. This person represents a group that is often aware of sustainability issues and wants to do their part—but doesn’t always prioritize it due to life circumstances. Think of the daily juggling act that comes with being a student: attending lectures, studying for exams, and managing a tight budget.
I chose P2 because they are at a transitional stage in life where habits and priorities are still being shaped. Students often care about the environment and feel the pressure to “do better,” but convenience, cost, and a busy schedule can make sustainability feel like just one more thing on a long to-do list.
From this interview, I hope to explore questions like:
- What drives young people to engage in sustainable behavior? Is it peer pressure, personal values, or something else?
- What compromises do they make between convenience and sustainability?
- What tools, apps, or strategies help them make greener choices – or would help if they existed?
This interview will help me understand what motivates this group to stick to their sustainable intentions and what might cause them to give up. The insights from P2 could reveal how to make sustainability more practical and appealing for those with busy lives.
Interview Partner 3: A Sustainability Enthusiast with High Standards
Finally, my third interview partner (P3) is someone who is deeply committed to living a sustainable lifestyle. They’re in their early 20s and currently studying biotechnology. P3 already makes conscious decisions about what they buy, how they travel, and even what they eat (they’re vegan). However, they’re also deeply frustrated with how hard it can be to stay consistent.
I chose P3 because they represent the group of people who are most passionate about sustainability but still face significant challenges in living out their values. Despite being highly motivated, they often feel like the system isn’t set up to support them, whether it’s due to lack of infrastructure (like public transport) or the higher cost of sustainable products.
This conversation will focus on questions like:
- What are the biggest barriers even for someone who is committed to sustainability?
- What role does frustration play in shaping their behavior? Does it motivate them to do more or make them feel burned out?
- What would make it easier for them to stay on track?
P3’s perspective will provide insights into the gap between intention and execution—and how we can close that gap for the most environmentally conscious among us.
Why These Three Perspectives Matter
By interviewing people from such different walks of life, I hope to get a fuller picture of how sustainability fits into the real world. Sustainability isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. For some, it’s about small, incremental changes that fit into a busy schedule. For others, it’s tied to bigger systemic issues that make it harder to even consider the environment when basic needs aren’t met.
The goal isn’t to compare these groups or rank their efforts but to understand how sustainability looks through their eyes. Each interviewee offers unique insights that can help shape solutions that make sustainable living more accessible and appealing.
Once I conduct these interviews, I’ll be diving into their answers to identify patterns, surprises, and actionable takeaways. I hope their perspectives will shed light on how we can make sustainability something that works for everyone – not just those with the time, money, or resources to focus on it.