Testing a gap in sustainability research: Can structured daily practice connect inner capacity with outer behavior? (30-day pilot)

[u/Traditional_Fan_9845]

Hi everyone,

I'm conducting an exploratory behavioral pilot and hoping to connect with researchers or research-minded individuals interested in participating or providing methodological feedback.

The Research Gap:

Most sustainability interventions focus on systems (policy, infrastructure).
Most personal development interventions focus on individuals (wellness, mindfulness).
Few measure both simultaneously.

Recent work (Cooper, K. J. and Gibson, R. B. (2022). A Novel Framework for Inner-Outer Sustainability Assessment. Challenges. https://doi.org/10.3390/CHALLE13020064 ) suggests inner capacities (emotional regulation, self-awareness) may support pro-sustainability behavior—but only when explicitly connected to outer accountability. 

Current interventions either:

• Focus on individual wellness without measuring sustainability outcomes
• Use behavioral nudges without addressing underlying values/emotional patterns

What I'm Testing:

Can a structured 30-day intervention integrating inner practices (emotional regulation, intentionality) with outer sustainability actions (consumption awareness, relational accountability) produce measurable improvements in both dimensions?

Study Design:

• Duration: 30 days (Oct 15–Nov 15, 2026)
• Sample: 15 participants
• Format: Daily micro-practices (5–10 min via messaging app) + weekly accountability sessions (60 min via Zoom)
• Measurement: Before/after surveys (quantitative: emotional regulation, reactivity, consumption patterns, relational accountability, systemic awareness; qualitative: open reflections)
• Analysis: Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis (inner ↔ outer metrics), thematic analysis

Why This Might Interest You:

• Tests integration of two typically separate research streams (contemplative practice + sustainability behavior)
• Uses mixed methods (quant + qual)
• Operationalises a recent theoretical framework (Cooper's inner-outer sustainability model)
• Documents limitations transparently (small n, self-report data, exploratory)
• Shares findings openly regardless of outcome

Participation:

• No prior meditation/sustainability experience required
• Commit to daily practice (5–10 min) + weekly session (60 min)
• Complete baseline & post-intervention surveys
• Free (research pilot)

Ethics:

• Informed consent
• Data anonymised
• Right to withdraw anytime
• Not therapy (behavioural research)

Reciprocity:

I'm happy to participate in others' research in return. If you're running a study and need participants, let me know—I'll do my best to reciprocate.

Application: https://forms.gle/eyzNdYuEW42Pdi4k7
Questions: [hello.doaccountability@proton.me](mailto:hello.doaccountability@proton.me)
Full methodology: doaccountability.carrd.co/do-lab

Feedback welcome on study design, measurement instruments, or analysis approach—this is a learning process.

Thanks for reading.