Sandra completed her PhD in psychology in 2013 and has worked in different teaching and research positions in Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. In her research activities, she focusses on the manifold relationships between (green) exercise, stress, health and wellbeing, on social influence and group dynamics, and on sustainable behaviour change. Her work aims at using insights from social sciences to promote healthy and more sustainable active living. Especially after completing a M.A. distance learning study with a focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), she tries to address the principles of ESD in her daily academic work. She has created a free information package for higher education teachers (available here) and developed Teaching and Learning Centre courses to help colleagues to address sustainable development in their teaching. Sandra is also working as parttime freelancer and trainer with teams and individuals to promote sustainable behaviour change and personal development.



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Klaperski-van der Wal, S. (2023). Sport and education for sustainable development - ‘A perfect team’? An exploratory qualitative study of leisure time athletes' perspectives on promoting sustainable development in sport and exercise settings. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, Volume 8, Issue 1, 2023, 100733, ISSN 2590-2911, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100733.

Klaperski-van der Wal, S. (2022). Sport and Exercise Psychology and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: Reflections and Suggestions. Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajsep.2022.06.004

Schmid, J., Imbach, L., Klaperski, S., & Sudeck, G. (2021). The natural environment of physical activity and perceived stress: The mediating role of specific recovery experiences. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3, 706467. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.706467

Klaperski. S., Koch, E., Hewel, D., Schempp., A., & Müller, J. (2019). Optimizing mental health benefits of exercise: The influence of the exercise environment on acute stress levels and wellbeing. Mental Health & Prevention, 15 [200173]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2019.200173

Klaperski, S. (2017). Sport und Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung – „ein perfektes Team“? Eine qualitative Interviewstudie [Sport and Education for Sustainable Development - "a perfect team"? A qualitative interview study]. Unpublished Master thesis, University of Rostock. (A paper summarizing the this work is currently under review)