Climate change data is complex and difficult to interpret, which may hinder public participation in mitigation efforts. This study examines whether gaze cueing can enhance the accessibility of this information by directing visual attention in the climate information-based collaboration task. Twenty participants collaborated in groups of four on a climate-related task while wearing mobile eye trackers. In the experimental condition, participants received gaze cues in an instructional video before performing the task, the purpose of which was to choose the best strategy to mitigate climate change. Statistical analysis using the Levenshtein distance on scanpaths showed that gaze cues fostered attention synchronization. The findings suggest that gaze cues in groups effectively guide attention through complex climate information, which is the first step to its comprehension.

Climate change is a pressing global concern, with increasing global warming rates demanding immediate attention. People’s perspectives on this issue are multifaceted and can be polarized but are not immutable. My doctoral project seeks to determine whether subtle gaze manipulations can foster pro-ecological attitude change in collaborative settings. Specifically, we want to explore the impact of eliciting joint attention to improve shared understanding and urgency with regard to climate change.