GLOBAL

The Program on Plastics, Ecosystems, and Public Health (PEPH) at the Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN) is a multidisciplinary team science initiative that examines the product lifecycle of everyday plastics, exploring the implications for environmental and human well-being, as well as novel and scalable solutions to mitigate those impacts. PEPH Program priorities include research on associated ecosystem and public health impacts and the discovery of substitute materials that are economical and environmentally benign or restorative. In its effort to address the diverse challenges related to the global use and accumulation of plastics, ISEN brings together experts from across Northwestern as well as collaborators from academic, civic, NGO, and industrial partner institutions.

Helen Chun is an associate professor of IMC at Medill and an associate professor, by courtesy, at Kellogg School of Management. As a behavioral researcher studying people's motivations and behavior, her expertise lies in bringing psychological approaches to managing and enhancing consumer experience, particularly studying consumer emotions, experience design and services marketing. Chun's research has also focused on branding, prosocial and sustainability-related issues, and technology-driven consumer insights. Her extensive research collaboration with the service industry has shaped and honed the experience-focused approach to her research and pedagogy.