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- 7th Jan 2013
Sticking to our New Year's resolutions
One of the most important practical lessons from behavioural science is that we often fail to do what’s best for us, despite our best intentions - whether it be exercising more, eating more healthily, saving more money or stopping smoking. Many of the most commonly cited behavioural biases - loss…
- Blog
- 8th Jan 2013
Randomised controlled trials in public policy
Dr Ben Goldacre’s Radio 4 programme about the use of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in public policy is well worth a listen.The programme includes guest appearances from members of the Behavioural Insights Team, with whom Ben wrote a paper on how policymakers can use RCTs to test new interventions.
- Blog
- 18th Jan 2013
New publication: The Behavioural Foundations of Public Policy
The team were lucky enough to be sent copies of the Eldar Shafir edited textbook ‘the Behavioural Foundations of Public Policy’. The book contains contributions from many of the world’s greatest behavioural scientists – including Daniel Kahneman, Richard Thaler (who advises the Behavioural Insights Team), Cass Sunstein and George Loewenstein.…
- Blog
- 24th Jan 2013
Guest blog post from Richard Thaler
Richard Thaler, co-author of Nudge and Professor of Behavioural Science and Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, has written an article for us about midata. midata is a programme which gives consumers the right to request their transaction information from firms in a portable machine readable…
- Blog
- 31st Jan 2013
BIT Research Fellowship
Applications are now open for the BIT Research Fellowship 2013. See the attached document for more details: BIT Research Fellowship We are looking for candidates whose research expertise is closely aligned with our upcoming areas of work, to take them on full-time or part-time for a period of 3-6 months.…
- Blog
- 6th Feb 2013
Guardian interview with the Director of the Behavioural Insights Team
Read an interview with Dr David Halpern, BIT Director, in today's Guardian. There is also an article about the team in yesterday's Japan Times.
- Blog
- 8th Feb 2013
More behavioural based research to improve health outcomes?
More than half the years of healthy life lost are as a result of behavioural or lifestyle factors, such as smoking, poor diet or lack of exercise. This is before we factor in social relationships and frame of mind – having someone to talk to and a positive outlook on life…
- Blog
- 11th Feb 2013
Telegraph article on the Behavioural Insights Team
Today's Telegraph reports on some of the team's work over the past two years, including: increasing the rate of tax payment; increasing the uptake of loft insulation; helping to get job seekers back into work.
- Blog
- 19th Feb 2013
A post on the life of a BIT Research Fellow
Perhaps I’ve been affected by ‘ownership bias’, but I’ve had a wonderful time on the BIT Research Fellowship Programme and simply can’t recommend it highly enough. Wherever you plan to work after completing your PhD, the experience you will gain here is invaluable. As an economist, I’ve always been interested…
- Blog
- 28th Feb 2013
Behavioural Bulletin 4
The fourth edition of the Behavioural Bulletin is now available.