A recent study published in the Global Environmental Change paper highlights the disconnect between awareness and behavior when it comes to air travel in academia.
While a vast majority of respondents at a top research university recognize the environmental impact of air travel on climate change, many continue to fly, particularly for conferences. Professors and PhD students, in particular, fly frequently to attend international meetings, often citing the importance of these events for career advancement. Despite the clear knowledge that aviation significantly contributes to global warming, the academic community struggles with the trade-offs between professional development and environmental responsibility.
Led by Jonas De Vos, a transport geographer at University College London (UCL), the study surveyed more than 1,100 PhD students and staff about their travel habits and attitudes toward conference attendance. The researchers found that although 80% of participants agreed on the environmental harm caused by flying, over 35% had flown to at least one meeting in 2022. The largest group of respondents were “involuntary flyers,” who prefer train travel but feel compelled to fly to conferences. Professors and PhD students, who prioritize in-person events, fly more frequently than teaching and research staff, who tend to use lower-carbon alternatives like trains.
The challenge of reducing academic air travel is complex. Researchers express concerns about missing out on critical opportunities for networking and visibility, which remain crucial for career progression. Although some argue for reducing flights, few advocate for eliminating in-person conferences entirely. Alternatives such as virtual or hybrid meetings, multi-hub conferences, and institutional carbon budgets are proposed as potential solutions. However, systemic changes in academic culture and reward structures are necessary to shift travel behavior in a more environmentally sustainable direction.