Behavioural Insights Projects

Methods Two preregistered randomized controlled trials (N = 253 and N = 674) measured consumption in a lab and the home environment. Cues were salient, labeled stripes that demarcated single portions. Participants were randomized to cue condition or control. Consumption was measured without awareness. Results The main preregistered effect of the visual cue was not statistically significant. There was some variation by subgroup. In Study 1, men were more likely to eat the whole can of potato…

Institution: Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

Team: ESRI Behavioural Research Unit

- There is need for organ donors. - According to public opinion polls, approximately 84% of Canadians support organ and tissue donation but only 43% report to have registered.[1,2] - In British Columbia, Canada, Internal operational data indicates that, between 2016 and 2017, 24,303 organ donation registrations took place through Service BC centres. This number dropped to 14,860 in 2019. - Considering these circumstances, Service BC has partnered with the BC Behavioural Insights Group to develop…

Institution: British Columbia Behavioural Insights Group (BC BIG)

Team: British Columbia Behavioural Insights Group (BC BIG)

The Government of Canada wants to support the transition from home heating based on fossil fuels (e.g., natural gas) to electric heat pumps. Here, we wanted to test different ways of framing the advantages of heat pumps and assess the benefit of providing a step-by-step guide to getting a heat pump.

Institution: Impact and Innovation Hub (IIU)- Impact Canada

Team: Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU)

Are there ways to limit the accrual of excessive loan amounts by students? A letter sent to students with student loans who have received a supplementary grant increases the likelihood of them reducing their loan amounts. This increased likelihood translates to an annual average decrease of over € 150 in loan amounts for students receiving both a supplementary grant and a loan. Why this experiment was conducted: award of supplementary grant sometimes has little or no impact on loan…

Institution: Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science

In a seven-week school-based field experiment using preadolescents’ physical activity as a proxy for estimating behavioural change, we test the hypothesis that boys’ and girls’ distinct networks are susceptible to different social incentives.

Institution: European Commission

Team: JRC Competence Centre on Behavioural Insights

This research shows that teacher and administration absences can negatively affect students’ reading and math abilities.Working with the Peruvian Ministry of Education (MINEDU) and the UK’s Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), we tested whether attendance could be influenced by sending different behaviorally informed messages by email. One email message conveyed the current level of attendance of one’s school district the “social norm” while the other built on teachers’ pro-social…

Institution: World Bank

Team: eMBeD, Mind Behaviour and Development team

PROJECT SUMMARY To increase uptake of flu vaccines and maintain a healthy workforce during the 2016-17 flu season, New York City’s Behavioral Design Team (NYC BDT) partnered with WorkWell NYC to design behaviorally informed emails to encourage New York City employees to visit a worksite flu clinic. One version of the redesigned email used the strategy of “enhanced active choice,” whereby employees were prompted to make a choice that had a clear right answer. IMPACT Behavioral emails more…

Institution: NYC Mayorship

Team: The NYC Behavioral Design Team - ideas42

In collaboration with USAID and The Colombian Ministry of Justice, the project aims to design a Communication Strategy for Social and Behavioral Change to transform public perceptions of the justice system. This approach will integrate principles of behavioral science and strategic communication to: Identify key barriers and beliefs that limit trust or appreciation of the justice system. Segment target audiences, mapping sociodemographic and behavioral profiles to design relevant and effective…

Institution: The Colombian Ministry of Justice

Team: Instintivo

Challenge Kosovo is the youngest country in Europe and faces the challenges of creating a government and setting up systems to generate funds needed to invest and develop. In 2018, only 47% of taxpayers made even a partial payment towards their due taxes. The consequences of low tax compliance and late repayment are two-fold. Individuals accumulate debt, interest, and fines from nonpayment which also prevents them from purchasing homes or registering vehicles until these debts are paid. On the…

Institution: Ideas42

Team: Ideas42

To support federal response efforts, Impact Canada is leading the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Behavioural Insights (BI) Tool on COVID-19 in the Canadian context. This work is being led in collaboration with the Public Opinion Research Team within the Privy Council Office’s (PCO) Communications and Consultation Secretariat, which supports the Prime Minister’s Office in coordinating government communications in accordance with key priorities. Insights garnered will…

Institution: Privy Council Office

Team: Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU)