Projects
Finalized Projects
Evaluating Consumer Confusion: The Case of Labeling Restrictions on Plant-Based Cheese in Türkiye
— In collaboration with Dr. Gizem Kurt
Recent global restrictions and proposed bans on labeling are presenting significant challenges to the growth of the plant-based food industry. However, are consumers genuinely confused by these terms? If so, who is more confused, and can such bans effectively address the problem? More importantly, could alternative solutions, such as clear vegan certification labels like the V-label, better address these concerns while promoting transparency, empowering consumer choice, and supporting market growth?
In Türkiye, where restrictive regulations aim to ban terms like “cheese” for plant-based products, we conducted the first-of-its-kind study with over 2,700 participants to examine the root causes of confusion. Our findings reveal that removing the term “cheese” does not reduce confusion, while clear labeling, such as the V-label, significantly improves understanding of product content and origin. By exploring the impact of consumer habits, familiarity, and education, we offer evidence-based solutions to replace ineffective bans with strategies that promote transparency, empower consumer choice, and support the growth of ethical and sustainable food systems.
Tech and Data in the Movement
— In collaboration with Vegan Hacktivists
What is the level of technology and data utilization in the movement, what are the challenges, and what can be done? In collaboration with Vegan Hacktivists and with insights from Faunalytics, we conducted the first-of-its-kind study to understand how our movement leverages technology. Our extensive 50-page report explores technology utilization across topics such as employment, websites, applications, social media, data collection and analysis, and security. By highlighting both challenges and opportunities, we present actionable recommendations to pave the way for a more technologically adept and data-driven movement.
Ongoing Projects
Direct and Spillover Effects of Educational Interventions on Attitudes Toward Plant-Based Diets: Evidence from a Controlled Experiment
— Animetrics, Mercy for Animals, and Bryant Research
We explore how educational programs can directly change attitudes about plant-based diets and how these changes might spread to friends. Using a controlled experimental design with university students, we aim to understand if students who receive the intervention change their views and if their peers, who don’t participate, also change their opinions through spillovers. This is important because understanding these spillover effects provides a more complete view of how educational strategies influence broader dietary shifts and helps us design more effective interventions that reach beyond the initial participants.
Attitudes towards Farmed Animals in the Middle East and North Africa Region
— Animetrics and Middle East Vegan Society
Understanding public attitudes toward animal agriculture is crucial for shaping effective regulations. While much research exists in Western countries, studies on Muslim populations are extremely limited. As Muslim populations represent a significant and growing segment of the global community, their religious and cultural beliefs, such as Islamic teachings on animal welfare and halal practices, play a key role in shaping views on animal welfare and agriculture. Including these perspectives is important for creating policies that are both inclusive and globally relevant.
This study builds on earlier work by Mercy for Animals, which explored international views on farmed animals, speciesism, welfare, and plant-based diets. We expand this by focusing on the Middle East and North Africa region, with attention to Islamic views and regional issues. By addressing topics like halal and religiosity, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of public attitudes and support for animal welfare in this context.
Future Projects
Policy Makers' Preferences and Strategies for Driving Change
— Animetrics
In this study, we plan to conduct an experiment with policymakers to assess their preferences for specific types of research output. The objective is to uncover the most effective strategies for driving policy change.