Event info
Behavioural science has come a long way – and so has BIT (Behavioural Insights Team). Over the past 15 years, BIT has developed many of the leading frameworks in the field, showcasing how behavioural science can improve outcomes for individuals, governments and businesses. But we’ve only just scratched the surface of what’s possible.
On Thursday 15 May from 18:00 BST, join David Halpern, BIT’s founder and President Emeritus, for his inaugural annual lecture, where he will discuss his new working paper exploring how behavioural and institutional insights are challenging classical economic models—and how this could reshape the future of economic policymaking.
This event will be chaired by Professor Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy and Co-Director of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy. Register now to secure your place and gain exclusive insights from one of the world’s leading voices in behavioural science.
About this event
- Date & time: 15 May 2025, 18:00-19:00 BST | 13:00-14:00 EDT
- Location: Online and in person (central London)
- Event organisers: BIT
Speakers
Professor David Halpern, CBE
David Halpern CBE is President Emeritus at the Behavioural Insights Team having previously been the team’s CEO from launch of the company (2010-2023) and President & Founding Director (2023-2024).
Prior to BIT, David was the first Research Director of the Institute for Government and between 2001 and 2007 was the Chief Analyst at the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. David was also appointed as the What Works National Advisor in July 2013, a position he held until 2022 through which he led efforts to improve the use of evidence across the UK government. Before entering government, David held tenure at Cambridge and posts at Oxford and Harvard.
He has written several books and papers on areas relating to behavioural insights and well-being, including Social Capital (2005), the Hidden Wealth of Nations (2010), Online Harms and Manipulation (2019) and co-author of the MINDSPACE report. In 2015, David wrote a book about the team entitled Inside the Nudge Unit: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference. David was awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours in January 2023 for Public Service in his role as What Works National Adviser.
Professor Diane Coyle
Diane Coyle is the Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. She co-directs the Bennett Institute where she heads research under the themes of progress and productivity. Diane’s new book (April 2025) is The Measure of Progress: Counting what really matters. Her research focuses on productivity, the digital economy and digital policy, and economic measurement. The underlying motivation for all her work is the question: what does it mean for the economy to improve, and who benefits?
Diane is also a member of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Council, New Towns Taskforce, and advises the Competition and Markets Authority. She has served previously in a number of public service roles including as Vice Chair of the BBC Trust, member of the Competition Commission, and of the Natural Capital Committee. Diane was awarded a DBE in 2023 for her contribution to economics and public policy.
