Meghan Bean, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant 1
Previous Work History
University of Arizona: Postdoctoral
Associate, Instructor
 Northwestern University: Instructor

Education
Ph.D., Social Psychology: Northwestern
University, Chicago, IL
 M.S. Social Psychology: Northwestern
University, Chicago, IL
 B.S., Psychology: Tufts University,
Medford, MA

Dr. Bean is a social psychologist with expertise in behavior change
theory and research design. She earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in social
psychology from Northwestern University and her B.S. in psychology
from Tufts University. Meghan has significant experience with a broad
range of research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, survey
research, and lab-based and real-world experimental studies. Prior to
joining Research Into Action, Meghan examined how people think, feel,
and behave during intergroup contact and designed interventions to
increase prosocial behavior. At Research Into Action, she evaluates
energy efficiency programs within the municipal, residential, and
commercial sectors. She has taught courses on the Psychology of
Gender at the University of Arizona and Northwestern University, led
workshops on behavior change program evaluation, and presented the
results of her research projects at local and national conferences.
Dr. Bean’s dissertation is entitled Are There ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ Types of
Intergroup Behavior? The Influence of Gender Differences in Relational
and Collective Interdependence on Trust Across Group Boundaries.
Dr. Bean has nine publications, including those in energy program
conference proceedings, social psychology, health, sociology, and
psychology journals, and a book.
Representative Experience
LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY

Better Buildings Neighborhood Pilot Program Assessment, 2012-2015: Led first-of-its-kind multivariate
statistical analysis of determinants for residential program upgrade success; methods included specification and
measurement of more than a dozen outcome variables, latent gold cluster analysis, and regression estimates of
cluster membership predicted by program characteristics. Led univariate analysis of web survey data spanning
over 140 residential, low-income, and nonresidential programs. Conducted and analyzed in-depth interviews with
staff at financial institutions that provided loans for residential and nonresidential efficiency upgrades.
Contributed to measurement of BBNP goal attainment. Spearheaded final report development and review cycle
for the six-volume report with comments from seven reviewers in three waves.
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Behavior Pilots and Energy Decision-Making, 2013-2015: Consulted on the design and analysis of behavior
intervention programs aimed at increasing energy conservation and engagement in utility energy efficiency
programs.

Cleaner, Greener Communities Program, 2015: Provided support to program staff conducting interviews with
municipal stakeholders to solicit feedback on a new pilot initiative. Reviewed interview guide, provided training
webinars and materials on best practices for conducting and taking notes during in-depth interviews, reviewed
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collected data, and analyzed and reported results. Designed guides for and conducted in-depth interviews with
program staff and municipal stakeholders about the development of regional sustainability plans, implementation
of high-profile projects supporting regional sustainability goals, and challenges and best practices for municipal
engagement. Oversaw analysis and reporting.

Multifamily Performance Program Process Evaluation, Market Assessment, and Market Characterization
of, 2012: Conducted in-depth interviews with building owners and developers to assess satisfaction with a largescale incentive program designed to encourage energy-saving measures in multifamily properties. Programmed
web surveys, and analyzed and presented quantitative and qualitative findings.
PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC

Step Up and Power Down, 2014: Orchestrated initial steps in the program strategy, including the causal and
logic model, conducted essential analysis to establish target segments, savings estimates, and participant goals,
led the design of the participant journey and intervention brainstorming and refinement. Documented internal
processes and recommended process improvements. Provided guidance on research efforts, such as A/B
testing and random encouragement design. Design behavioral interventions to encourage reductions in energy
use among large, medium, and small commercial customers that target executives, employees, building
operators, and customers. Conduct market intelligence research (web survey and focus groups) to inform
intervention strategy design. Model program design and logic. Project administration responsibilities.
PUGET SOUND ENERGY

Market Baseline Studies, Market Potential Assessments, Program Process Reviews, and Program
Savings Reviews of Puget Sound Energy's Residential New Construction Programs, 2013: Interviewed
builders of multifamily and single-family residential housing about equipment use and energy consumption to
establish a market baseline as part of an evaluation of a residential new construction energy efficiency program.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON

Local Government Partnerships - Process Evaluation and Needs Assessment, 2015: Designed guides for
interviews with program staff to document program process and gain insight into best criteria for categorizing
local governments. Will propose a categorization scheme for local governments and conduct a process
evaluation identifying best practices for encouraging, supporting, and tracking strategic planning and municipal
retrofit activity among local governments. Will oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Energy Leader Partnership Evaluation, 2015: Designed guides for interviews with program staff to document
program process and gain insight into best criteria for categorizing local governments. Will propose a
categorization scheme for local governments, conduct a process evaluation identifying best practices for
encouraging and supporting efficiency activity among local governments, and will evaluate the effectiveness of a
tiered incentive structure. Will oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Process Evaluation of California's Flex Alert Program, 2013-2014: Conducted in-depth interviews with
stakeholders in a statewide demand response program to document procedures and assess perceptions of and
satisfaction with the program. Programmed web surveys and presented qualitative findings.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON/ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Behavior Change Pilot Program Plan, 2013-2014: Working with program staff and implementers, designed
three pilots to test rigorously the effectiveness of using behavior interventions to spur electricity conservation.
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RESEARCH SKILLS AND ABILITIES
DATA COLLECTION

Participates in all aspects of research, including strategy development, question design, instrument creation and
pre-testing, survey scheduling, and conducting in-depth interviews. Manages web-based surveys and maintains
call lists for phone surveys.
DATA ANALYSIS

Conducts quantitative and qualitative data analysis using a variety of software tools, including SPSS, SAS, MS
Excel, and NVivo. Analyzes large and small data sets to produce results such as frequencies, crosstabs, and bivariate analyses and uses statistical procedures such as factor analysis, regression, and mediation.
Publications
McRae, M. and J. Folks. 2015. “What Have We Learned about Success and Its Drivers in Comprehensive
Residential Upgrade Programs?” 2015. McRae, M. and J. Folks. Broadening Our Horizons, Long Beach, CA:
International Energy Program Evaluation Conference.
“Documenting Nursing and Medical Students’ Stereotypes and Hispanic and American Indian Patients.” Bean, M.B.,
E.S. Focella, R. Covarrubias, J. Stone, G.B. Moskowitz, and T.A. Badger. 2014. Journal of Health Disparities
Research and Practice 7(3): 14-22.
“How Hispanic Patients Address Ambiguous versus Unambiguous Bias in the Doctor’s Office.” Bean, M.G., R.
Covarrubias, and J. Stone. 2014. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 44 (11):693-707.
“Evidence of Nonconscious Stereotyping of Hispanic Patients by Nursing and Medical Students.” Bean, M.G., J.
Stone, G.B. Moskowitz, T.A. Badger, and E.S. Focella. 2013. Nursing Research 62 (5): 362-367.
“Blinding Trust: The Effect of Perceived Group Victimization on Intergroup Trust.” Rotella, K.N., J.A. Richeson., J.Y.
Chiao, and M.G. Bean. 2013. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 39 (1): 115-127.
“Prejudice Concerns and Race-Based Attentional Bias: New Evidence from Eyetracking.” Bean, M.G., D.G. Slaten,
W.S. Horton, M. Murphy, A.R. Todd, and J.A. Richeson. 2012. Social Psychological and Personality Science 3 (6):
723-730.
“Another View from the Ground: How Laws Like SB1070 and HB2281 Erode the Intergroup Fabric of our
Community.” Bean, M.G., and J. Stone. 2012. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy 12 (1): 144-150.
“Does Black and Male Still = Threat in the Age of Obama?” Richeson, J.A., and M.G. Bean. 2011. In The Obamas
and a (Post) Racial America. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press.
“Gender Moderates the Self-Regulatory Consequences of Suppressing Emotional Reactions to Prejudice.” Johnson,
S.E., M. Mitchell, M.G. Bean, J.A. Richeson, and J.N. Shelton. 2010. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations 13
(2): 215-226.
Presentations
“TIPs for Success: Achieving Focused, Efficient Behavior Change Programs with the Target Behavior, Intervention,
and Population (TIP) Model.” Bean, M. and Dethman, L. 2015. Paper presented at the Behavior, Energy & Climate
Change Conference, Sacramento, CA. October 18-21.
“Leaping from the Ivory Tower and Landing on Firm Ground: How Active Collaboration between Academics,
Evaluators, Implementers, and Program Managers Can Create Effective and Scalable Behavior Programs.” Dunn, A.,
J. Peters, and M. Bean. 2014. Paper presented at the Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference, Washington,
DC.
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“Confronting Bias in the Doctor’s Office: The Role of Provider Bias, Stigma Consciousness, and Health Agency in
Predicting How Hispanic Patients Address Discrimination in Health Care.” Bean, M.G., J. Stone, and R. Covarrubias.
2013. Presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference, New Orleans, LA. January 17-19.
“Collective Self-Breadth and Environmentalism: Priming Broader Group Memberships Increases Pro-Environmental
Behavior.” Bean, M.G., W. Gardner, and E.J. Glenn. 2012. Presented at the Association for Psychological Science
Conference, Chicago, IL. May 24-27.
“‘His’ and ‘Hers’ Intergroup Behavior? The Influence of Gender Differences in Relational and Collective
Interdependence on Trust Across Group Boundaries.” Bean, M.G., and J.A. Richeson. 2012. Presented at the
Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference, San Diego, CA. January 26-28.
“The Threat of Appearing Prejudiced: External Motivation to Appear Non-Prejudiced and Race Based Selective
Attention.” Bean, M.G., J.A. Richeson, D. Slaten, S. Trawalter, W.S. Horton, A.R. Todd, and M.C. Murphy. 2011.
Presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference, San Antonio, TX. January 27-29.
“Interracial Mistrust: Do Ingroup Biases Prevail even when Trusting the Outgroup Benefits the Self?” Bean, M.G., and
J.A. Richeson. 2010. Presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
January 28-30.
“Uniform Judgments? The Impact of Target Race and Uniform on Perceptions of Threat and Trust.” Bean, M.G., and
J.A. Richeson. 2009. Presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference, Tampa, FL.
February 5-7.
“Dysfunctional Projection: How Fundamental Social Motives Can Bias Interpersonal Perception.” Bean, M.G., and
J.A. Richeson. 2008. Presented at the Association for Psychological Science Conference, Chicago, IL. May 22-25.
“The Affective Consequences of Identity Management among Women in Math.” Bean, M.G., and J.A. Richeson.
2008. Presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference, Albuquerque, NM. February 7-9.
Training and Certifications

Demand Side Management (DSM) 1 – Association of Energy Services Professionals, San Francisco, CA,
August 2014

Beyond Evaluation 101: Process and Market Evaluations – International Energy Program Evaluation
Conference, Chicago, IL, August 2013

Graduate Teaching Certificate – Searle Center for Teaching Excellence, Northwestern University, 2011

Society for Personality and Social Psychology Summer Institute, Evanston, IL, 2009
Professional Affiliations

Association of Energy Services Professionals

Behavior, Energy & Climate Change

Oregon Program Evaluators Network

Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
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