Creating people-centered behavioral public policy with Elizabeth Linos

PodcastApril 25, 2022
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In most areas of social policy or at least in public policy areas where we see behavioral science playing a role, we're still learning what works in different contexts. And so, the critical decision that a policymaker has to make is, “Am I willing to take on the risk and the potential reward of looking at the data of testing rigorously and sharing those findings with the world, no matter the outcome?

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Intro

In this episode, Brooke speaks with Elizabeth Linos, Michelle Schwartz Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School at UC Berkeley. Drawing from her many years’ experience at the intersection of behavioral science and public policy, Elizabeth shares her insights around how the field has developed and what the future holds for behavioral researchers and policy makers interested in changing human behavior for social purposes. Some of the things discussed include:

  • How low-cost or light-touch nudges sparked an interest in behavioral science amongst policy makers in the early days, and why we need to think further down the funnel to achieve the exact outcomes we desire.
  • Instances where behavioral science can make a real impact, as well as times we need to be ‘real’ about how much it can really affect policy outcomes.
  • Why the real challenge for behavioral scientists and practitioners is in persuading policy makers to adopt a holistic, experimentation approach to behavioral challenges, as opposed to ‘quick-win’ solutions.
  • The case for a people-centered approach to behavioral policy design and why it’s important that researchers pay special attention to the experiences of frontline workers and not just the raw data.
  • Immediate steps that policy makers and behavioral scientists can take in pursuing meaningful projects that address public policy challenges.

About the Guest

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Elizabeth Linos

Elizabeth Linos is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on how to improve government by focusing on its people. Specifically, her studies consider how we can improve diversity in recruitment and selection, how to support front line workers against burnout, and how different work environments affect performance and motivation in government. Her research has been published in academic journals including the Journal for Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART), Public Administration, JAMA, the British Medical Journal and others. Her work has also been highlighted in media outlets including the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, Governing magazine, and Slate.

As the former VP and Head of Research and Evaluation at the Behavioral Insights Team in North America, she worked with city governments across the US to improve programs using behavioral science and to build capacity around rigorous evaluation. Prior to this role, Elizabeth was a policy advisor to the Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, focusing on social innovation and public sector reform. She has also worked for the Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), evaluating and designing innovative social programs in Bangladesh, Morocco, and France. Dr. Linos holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University, where she also completed her A.B. in Government and Economics, magna cum laude with highest honors.

About the Interviewer

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Dr. Brooke Struck

Dr. Brooke Struck is the Research Director at The Decision Lab. He is an internationally recognized voice in applied behavioural science, representing TDL’s work in outlets such as Forbes, Vox, Huffington Post and Bloomberg, as well as Canadian venues such as the Globe & Mail, CBC and Global Media. Dr. Struck hosts TDL’s podcast “The Decision Corner” and speaks regularly to practicing professionals in industries from finance to health & wellbeing to tech & AI.

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