Sophia Baierl

Research

Project Title:

Designing Urban Green Spaces for Mental Health:
The Role of Biodiversity

 

Research interests:

My research interest centers on the role of urban green spaces in promoting mental well-being and health. I am interested in identifying the qualitative characteristics of these environments that enhance their positive effects. My main focus is on biodiversity, as growing evidence shows that biodiversity contributes to human health.

In my PhD project, I aim to determine whether and in which ways biodiversity is one of the defining characteristics of urban green spaces that strengthens their benefits for mental health. In line with the concept of Planetary Health, this knowledge can help inform the design of urban green spaces that promote both human and ecological health.

Part of my PhD research is embedded in the CitySoundscapes project, where we focus on the acoustic environment of green spaces (soundscapes) and its relationships with health and biodiversity. To capture people’s subjective experiences of soundscapes, we conduct soundwalks - a participatory method for assessing the acoustic quality of a place.

In general, I am interested in participatory research methodologies and will integrate them throughout my work. This interest also stems from my engagement with questions of migration and health.

Supervisors

PD Dr.med. Caroline Jung-Sievers, MSc
Prof. Dr. Monika Egerer
Dr. rer. biol. hum. Michaela Coenen, MPH postgrad. 

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

October 2025 - present: PhD candidate in Medical Research: Epidemiology and Public Health
10/2021 – 09/2023: MSc Public Health LMU Munich
10/2017 – 12/2021: BSc Statistics LMU Munich

 

PUBLICATIONS

Baierl S, Voss S, Immich G, Fiebig A, Hisada N, Meier N, Probst B, Coenen M. Using soundwalks to promote salutogenetic urban environments. Public Health Forum. 2025;33(3): 256-261. https://doi.org/10.1515/pubhef-2025-0057