Action Research

08/19/2026

One tradition we have here at Action Research is our Snap Cup! 🫰

With our Snap Cup, our staff have the opportunity to anonymously write a compliment note about one of their co-workers and put it in the cup. All of them are then read at our monthly staff meeting to highlight the terrific work all nominated employees have done. Everyone then responds not with claps, but with snaps after each one is read. Snaps to Jessica for coming up with such a wonderful employee recognition idea!

We are so grateful to have a special team that values supporting each other and sharing our wins together! Just one of the many reasons working at Action Research is incredibly rewarding. Go team! 🤗

08/17/2026

We go the extra mile for our clients.

Our Creative Associate Michael trekked through this flooded tunnel to get this scenic ocean shot at Crystal Cove State Park today. Our team is the best!

07/15/2026

🚨1 Week Left! 🚨

Behavior Change Strategies for Sustainability, a 9-week online course our President, Jennifer Tabanico, teaches through UC San Diego Extended Studies, now starts on July 21st. There's still limited time to register!

This course introduces students to evidence-based behavior change tools like social norms, commitments, prompts, incentives, implementation intentions, and message framing. It also introduces frameworks, like community-based social marketing (CBSM), providing students with tools to identify target behaviors, understand audiences, and design more effective programs.

Over Jennifer's ten years of teaching this course, students have consistently said they value its practical relevance to their work, including tools that can be applied immediately. Not to mention:👇
-Lectures that can be viewed on your own schedule
-Assignments tailored to your own programs and interests
-Extensive individualized feedback and instructor support
-Access to a diverse cohort of professionals from around the world representing government, nonprofits, utilities, zoos and aquariums, consulting firms, neighborhood associations, and private industry.

Jennifer's course is one of the required courses in UC San Diego's Sustainability & Behavior Change Certificate Program, but it can also be taken as a standalone course for professional development. Access course information and registration here:

Gain an understanding of behavior change and the application of behavior change strategies to program development. Online.

07/06/2026

When you co-worker celebrates Independence Day weekend a little too hard... 🐶😂

07/02/2026

Happy birthday to our Creative Associate, Randy Caymo! 🎉

Randy does all things design at Action Research. He brings regulatory mandates to life and has an incredible eye. We couldn't be more grateful for the incredible work he does here every day.

We got Randy a floating (magnetic) globe, Star Wars card, and plenty of snacks! Although his dog Kris seems to have taken ownership of them instead. 😂

We hope you have an amazing day, Randy!

06/24/2026

Registration is closing soon for our President, Jennifer Tabanico's, online course! 🚨

Behavior Change Strategies for Sustainability is a 9-week online course that she teaches through UC San Diego Extended Studies. This year marks her 10th year teaching this course, and it remains one of her favorite professional experiences. Sign up now for the summer session which runs July 7 – September 5, 2026.

This course introduces students to evidence-based behavior change tools like social norms, commitments, prompts, incentives, implementation intentions, and message framing. It also introduces frameworks, like community-based social marketing (CBSM), providing participants with tools to identify target behaviors, understand barriers and motivators, and design more effective programs and outreach initiatives.

Aspects of the course that past students have especially valued include:
--Asynchronous lectures that can be viewed on your own schedule
--Online discussions and assignments tailored to your own programs and interests
--Extensive individualized feedback and instructor support
--Access to a diverse cohort of professionals from around the world representing government, nonprofits, utilities, zoos and aquariums, consulting firms, neighborhood associations, and private industry.

Jennifer's course is one of the required courses in UC San Diego's Sustainability & Behavior Change Certificate Program, but it can also be taken as a standalone course for professional development.

Access course information and registration here: https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/courses/behavior-change-strategies-for-sustainability-envr-40006. 💪

Gain an understanding of behavior change and the application of behavior change strategies to program development. Online.

06/18/2026

Happy birthday to our Project Manager, Kim!

Kim has done a terrific job taking over project management of our County of San Diego projects! Her diligence, thoroughness, and hard work keep everyone on track and we're really grateful for her efforts. For her birthday, we got her a wooden panda case, panda keychain, and so much popcorn!

We hope you have a wonderful day, Kim!

06/05/2026

Congratulations to our Creative Associate, Michael Walsh, for celebrating his 5 year work anniversary! From leading social media and flyer content creation, to website maintenance, to digital advertising, Michael has successfully worn many hats the past 5 years!👏

He is incredibly deserving of his fruit tart cake, animal socks, fancy pen, and framed certificate. Thank you for all you do, Michael! We are grateful to have you on our team! 💪

05/19/2026

Joey and Jessica had a wonderful time at the California State University San Marcos career fair last week! They gave talks at their alma mater to showcase the work we do at Action Research keeping our communities safe, healthy, and sustainable. Also, to inspire the next generation of community-based social marketing experts!

Great work, Joey and Jessica! 💪

05/14/2026

Our President, Jennifer Tabanico, enjoyed the opportunity to speak today at the California Water Association’s Spring Policy Symposium on water, trust, and communication.

She loved joining leaders from across California’s water sector to discuss how behavioral science and community-based social marketing (CBSM) can support more effective communication, stronger public trust, and greater understanding of what it takes to maintain safe and reliable water systems.

Jennifer appreciated the thoughtful conversations around infrastructure investment, affordability, emergency response, and the importance of clear, transparent communication.

She is grateful to have been part of such an important discussion. Great work, Jennifer!