How Behavioral Science Can Inform A Post-COVID World: Susan Michie

PodcastFebruary 20, 2021
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I just hope that people will have the resilience to, after this pandemic, collectively work together to think about, first of all, the best way forward. What have we got wrong? What should we do differently? But also, exercising muscle. How can people on the ground exercise muscle to governments, and say, ‘You know what? We want something different.’

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Intro

Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has changed virtually everything about our lives, from how we work to how we care for one another, and even how we spend our time and money. Behavioral science is keeping up. In this episode of The Decision Corner, we sit down with British psychologist and behavioral science advisor Susan Michie to tear apart some of the most complex causes and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michie shows us how increased public engagement in behavioral science and health research can help us imagine a post-COVID world that is more equitable, environmental, and convenient than the one we left behind. Read more about her research, including the development of the behavior change wheel, here. Some topics that we discuss include:

  • The operation of British scientific advisory group in emergencies (SAGE)
  • The gap between scientific research and public policy—are governments really “following the science?”
  • How a psychological look at problem framing can help change the way we talk about the pandemic
  • Contributors to the pandemic, including weakening global ties and environmental degradation
  • The need for increased public engagement in behavioral science research
  • How behavioral science can inform a better future

About the Guest

Susan Michie

Susan Michie

Susan Michie is a British psychologist and professor of health psychology at University College London, where she founded and directs the Center for Behavior Change. During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, Michie sat on a cross-government scientific advisory group in emergencies known as SAGE. While the only behavioral scientist originally on this team, Michie organized and chaired a behavioral science subgroup that she rejoined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Michie also sits on Independent SAGE, an independent advisory group initiated by ex-chief scientific advisor, Sir David King. Through her work on SAGE, as an expert advisor on the UK’s Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behavioral Science, and as a consultant for the WHO, Michie provides scientific expertise and advice on how to institute health-related behavioral change in populations. Michie has also frequently contributed to national news media as a behavior change expert throughout the pandemic. 

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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