Policy
Beyond Irrational Politics
Brooke Struck is Research Director at The Decision Lab. Before joining TDL, Dr. Struck worked in evidence-based policy, advising clients such as the European Commission, the US National Science Foundation, and the Science-Based Departments & Agencies of the Government of Canada. He holds a PhD in the philosophy of science. Science will not depoliticize politics—nor […]
It Pays to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Business and Policy Leaders Take Note
How does framing of carbon pricing policy impact consumer attitudes and behaviours?
To Vote or Not to Vote?
By understanding the psychology of decision-making, candidates and politically engaged individuals can design more effective messages to get constituents and friends out to vote.
AI and the Future of Lie Detection
With advances in AI, it is very likely that we will soon live in a world where we know how to detect truth.
The AI Governance of AI
The question of AI governance leads us to a foundational issue: to govern AI, we may need to use AI.
Can Emojis Prevent People From Speeding?
When it comes to designing traffic signs, it may make sense to use emojis instead of words.
Dancing to the Tunes of a Choice Architect
Choice architecture can help policymakers or marketers tweak a decision-making environment to influence the final outcome.
The Impact of Community Trust on Low-Income Individuals
The poor may lack in material wealth, but they possess social wealth in the shape of their communities upon which they can draw.
The Devil You (Expect to) Know: Political Reconciliation
Seeing the person on the other end of that Twitter argument as a human being could be a powerful antidote to the demonization of our political rivals.
Government Nudging in the Age of Big Data
Instead of applying and re-applying nudges as ‘best-guesses’, governments can tailor very specific, personalized behavioural nudges to individuals and small groups.
Texting Our Way to the Polls, Three Friends at a Time
Campaigners can build on behavioral science research and shape a new generation of civic engagement.
The Game of Life: Discussing Determinism in Behavioural Science
Human behaviour may have a quite simple deterministic origin, but resulting behaviour isn't always uniform, stable, and predictable.
Behavioral Science 101: The Next Frontier Of Social Progress
Behavioral science research has thus far been mostly confined to labs and academia. We want to buck that trend by applying these lessons to the social sector.
Behavioral Science Is Quietly Revolutionizing City Governments
Understanding why people make certain choices allows city leaders to influence them toward behaviour that increases city efficiency.
Society’s Biggest Problems Need More Than a Nudge
When it comes to many of the big decisions faced by governments – and the private sector – behavioral science has more to offer than simple nudges.
Will A Tax On Disposable Bags Curb Their Use?
Given the growing popularity of disposable bag regulations, this begs the question: have any successfully changed consumer behavior?
Nudges: Social Engineering or Sensible Policy?
Nudges don't mandate behaviors like laws, but are nudges manipulating people into decisions they would not endorse upon reflection?
Globalization Policy (2/2): Winners, Losers, And Solutions
In a world that seems directed towards more closure, can we find solutions that are both efficient, fair and, most importantly, inclusive?
What If Your Neighbours Knew Whether You Voted?
Our voting records are public. In this article we explore how we can use behavioral insights to leverage this in order to fix the problem of low voter turnout.
Globalization Policy (1/2): Is The Negative Narrative Justified?
In a world that seems directed towards more closure, can we find solutions that are efficient, fair and, most importantly, inclusive?
Nudging Towards A Sustainable Future
The past success of nudging can give us clues about how to use them in enviro-policy to create lasting change.
To Nudge, or Adjudge? That’s the Enviro-Policy Question
Looking at enviro-policy, insights from behavioral economics offer the implementation of nudges as a more innovative solution to traditional carbon taxes.
To Marry Or Not To Marry? A Behavioral Science Perpsective
Roughly 39,000 children are married every day, pushing them further into poverty and despair. In this article, we explore how behavioral science can help.
How Wells Fargo Nudged Their Employees To Commit Fraud
Thousands of low-wage Wells Fargo employees defrauded customers. Why did they do it?
Science Denial Isn’t Only A Conservative Problem
Scientists have often counted on liberals and Democrats to support their political causes, including climate legislation.
Your Vote Counts, But Does It Matter?
A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election. Why does voter turn out continue to be an issue?
How Decision Science Could Have Changed World History
In a historically close election, the outcome of the 2000 U.S election in the end turned on which candidate carried Florida.
To Be Right or Liked? Evaluating Political Decision-Making
We can share our worldview like never before, yet we often feel worlds apart when assessing our shared reality.
Drone Policy (1/3): Reducing The Human Cost
During one five month period between Jan. 2012 and Feb. 2013 almost 90% of those killed in American drone strikes were not the intended targets.
Bridging The Divide Between Decision Science And Policy
The vast majority of decision scientists lack the resources, time, access, and incentives to directly influence policy decisions. We propose a solution to this issue.
Signs That The Government Is Embracing Behavioral Science
President Obama ordered government agencies to use behavioral science insights to “better serve the American people.”
The EU Consumer Policy on the Digital Market: A Behavioral Economics View
The EU is still trying to figure out the problems that EU consumers face in purchasing online. These problems can be answered by behavioral economics.