Behavioural Insights Projects

How to increase diversity in the police is an unanswered question that has received significant political and media attention. One area of intervention is the recruitment process itself. This study reports the results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a police force that was experiencing a disproportionate drop in minority applicants during one particular test. Drawing on insights from the literatures on stereotype threat, belonging uncertainty and values affirmation exercises, we…

Institution: University of California, Berkeley

Team: The People Lab

The purpose of this study is to better understand Canadian's perceptions, knowledge, and decision-making related to home energy labels. It will build on the findings of an initial survey that explored home energy label design elements and information content, as well as perceptions of the current EnerGuide label for homes. Extending this work, the present study will examine how different rating presentations may affect comprehension of home energy performance and which home energy label design…

Institution: Privy Council Office

Team: Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU)

In partnership with Godot Inc. the Yomitan Village Office in Okinawa (Japan) conducted an AI-driven sludge audit of the medical check-up process. Since the 2022 financial year, the village office and Godot Inc. have been working together to apply behavioural science to medical check-up notifications delivered via SMS and postcards. In 2021, Yomitan Village had the lowest general medical check-up rate among all 41 municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture. However, the application of behavioural…

Institution: Yomitan Village Office - Okinawa, Japan

Team: Godot Inc.

The Ministry of Justice and Security developed a behavioural intervention aimed at inspiring individuals to adopt safe cyber practices: 'Valse email? Meld het via de meldknop' (Fake email? Report it using the report button). Thanks to this behavioural intervention, employees are ten times more likely to report suspicious emails internally. Moreover, click rates on links in suspicious emails have significantly decreased. Why this experiment was conducted: One in five SMEs have been victims of…

Institution: Netherlands Ministry of Justice and Security

The study aims to identify barriers and trade-offs faced by consumers when deciding whether to engage in the circular economy. In particular, it explores decisions whether to buy a more or a less durable good, and whether to have a good repaired or to discard it and buy a replacement. It establishes the relative importance of economic, social and psychological factors that govern how consumers engage in the circular economy. Finally, it proposes policy tools to enable and encourage consumers to…

Institution: European Commission

Team: JRC Competence Centre on Behavioural Insights

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

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)

Despite email alert systems having a large reach, email can be a difficult platform to spread awareness. BETA partnered with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to find ways of boosting the impact of an email alert system. We applied behavioural insights to the email design to bolster its effects, and tested these different design aspects using a randomised controlled trial. Subscribers were randomly assigned to receive an alert with one or more of our new design features (or a…

Institution: Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC)

Team: Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA)

This project was led with the French National Forestry Office (ONF), which is an institution responsible for the management of public forests, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Our common project has studied how to apply behavioral science to enhance user safety in forests. It resulted in the generation of 17 Nudges. Experimentation is expected to start spring 2022.

Institution: Edwige

Despite the overwhelming medical evidence on the protection offered by the second, third and fourth doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, the acceptance of these doses remains low despite the existing supply. The problem is likely because there are currently no reminders in the province of Chaco, Argentina. This makes it difficult for residents to know if they are eligible for the next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and where to access it. Booster vaccination is associated with a lower risk of mortality…

Institution: Other

Team: Behavioral Sciences and Public Policies Unit