Behavioural Public Policy

Behavioural Public Policy

@bppjournal.bsky.social

Interdisciplinary journal, published by Cambridge University Press. Launched in 2017

1.1K followers467 following73 posts

Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Who learns to drive later, and does it matter? New research from Ireland shows that improved public transport delays young people's decision to learn to drive and leads to less driving later in life. Policymakers should… https://bppblog.com/2026/10/21/who-learns-to-drive-later-and-does-it-matter/

bppblog.comWho learns to drive later, and does it matter?New research from Ireland shows that improved public transport delays young people's decision to learn to drive and leads to less driving later in life. Policymakers should recognise these long-term benefits, as investments in transport infrastructure can shape future travel habits and reduce reliance on cars, particularly during formative years.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Preferences are not fixed! Why this matters for climate policy and societal transformation The article by Sebastian Berger and Felix Creutzig argues that human preferences are… https://bppblog.com/2026/10/13/preferences-are-not-fixed-why-this-matters-for-climate-policy-and-societal-transformation/

bppblog.comPreferences are not fixed! Why this matters for climate policy and societal transformationThe article by Sebastian Berger and Felix Creutzig argues that human preferences are not fixed but shaped by context and experiences. Policies like Ljubljana's car-free zone demonstrate how changes in the environment can alter preferences towards sustainability. Demand-side solutions are vital for climate change mitigation, requiring transformative policies that encourage experiential learning.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Why does the same behavioural intervention take off in one community and stall in another? Behavioural interventions land in social worlds where people copy one another, though not all in the same way. New research shows a campaign can stall, drift or cascade depending on whether people follow the…

bppblog.comWhy does the same behavioural intervention take off in one community and stall in another?Behavioural interventions land in social worlds where people copy one another, though not all in the same way. New research shows a campaign can stall, drift or cascade depending on whether people follow the majority, the prestigious or the successful. Policy design should pay attention to how people learn from each other.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

When fast is right and slow is wrong (rethinking intuition and deliberation) The article by Jérémie Beucler and Wim De Nys critiques dual-process theory, highlighting some of its simplifications. They argue that intuition can be sound and deliberation sometimes ineffective in enhancing…

bppblog.comWhen fast is right and slow is wrong (rethinking intuition and deliberation)The article by Jérémie Beucler and Wim De Nys critiques dual-process theory, highlighting some of its simplifications. They argue that intuition can be sound and deliberation sometimes ineffective in enhancing decision-making. Their research suggests that smarter individuals exhibit better intuitions, advocating for a focus on developing better intuitive judgment rather than solely promoting deliberation.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Is a transparent nudge a better one? The evidence paints a mixed picture The worry is that nudges may bypass deliberate choice-making and leave people feeling manipulated by steering behaviour without their awareness. The most popular response is simply to tell people they are being nudged through…

bppblog.comIs a transparent nudge a better one? The evidence paints a mixed pictureThe worry is that nudges may bypass deliberate choice-making and leave people feeling manipulated by steering behaviour without their awareness. The most popular response is simply to tell people they are being nudged through a disclosure message attached to the intervention. But does disclosing a nudge actually make people feel more in control? And does it make the nudge any more effective?
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

The Power and Peril of “Behavioural” in Public Policy Research on behavioral public policy (BPP) has rapidly increased in the past decade, with a notable rise in publications from 891 articles (1980-2018) to 876 in just five years (2019-2024). The analysis reveals BPP's growing geographical…

bppblog.comThe Power and Peril of “Behavioural” in Public PolicyResearch on behavioral public policy (BPP) has rapidly increased in the past decade, with a notable rise in publications from 891 articles (1980-2018) to 876 in just five years (2019-2024). The analysis reveals BPP's growing geographical diversity and engagement with contemporary issues. Additionally, BPP plays a critical role in policy legitimacy beyond intervention effectiveness.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Why Don’t People Retrofit? Lessons from Behavioural Science and Community Co-Creation Achieving net zero will require transforming the homes we already live in, improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.… https://bppblog.com/2026/08/18/retrofit-homes-community-co-creation/

bppblog.comWhy Don’t People Retrofit? Lessons from Behavioural Science and Community Co-CreationAchieving net zero will require transforming the homes we already live in, improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Retrofitting will depend on technologies, finance, and infrastructure - and also on trust, participation, and collective ownership. It is about working with the people who live in them.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Can behavioural policy build sustainable competencies? New evidence says yes Boosts are behavioural interventions that improve decisions by teaching people simple skills. In sustainability, the main barrier is often… https://bppblog.com/2026/06/04/boosts-sustainability-durable-behaviour-change/

bppblog.comCan behavioural policy build sustainable competencies? New evidence says yesBoosts are behavioural interventions that improve decisions by teaching people simple skills. In sustainability, the main barrier is often not willingness, but know-how. Drawing on new evidence, Yavor Paunov argues that boosts can build lasting competences, helping people make sustainable choices even after the policy intervention itself is removed.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

From i-frame slogans to s-frame solutions: How counter-industry gambling messages can replace individual responsibility with systemic accountability Messages like “gamble responsibly” frame gambling harms as a matter of individual responsibility. Counter-industry warnings such as “gambling…

bppblog.comFrom i-frame slogans to s-frame solutions: How counter-industry gambling messages can replace individual responsibility with systemic accountabilityMessages like “gamble responsibly” frame gambling harms as a matter of individual responsibility. Counter-industry warnings such as “gambling products are designed to be addictive” instead highlight systemic drivers of harmful gambling. In this blogpost, Maira Andrade and Philip Newall show how policymakers could best use such counter-industry warnings.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

(Dis)embodied behavioural design? On embodiment’s effect on autonomy and agency Decision-making is not just above-the-neck cognitive processing. It occurs within a specific, embodied human form who experiences the world in a physical way. This needs to be given due attention when designing and…

bppblog.com(Dis)embodied behavioural design? On embodiment’s effect on autonomy and agencyDecision-making is not just above-the-neck cognitive processing. It occurs within a specific, embodied human form who experiences the world in a physical way. This needs to be given due attention when designing and implementing behavioural interventions.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Ought ≠ Is: No Evidence for an ‘Honesty Premium’ in Public Sector Culture Does a public sector culture promotes honesty among workers?Through randomised trials in five countries, this research finds no evidence that activating a public sector identity reduces cheating. Policymakers should…

bppblog.comOught ≠ Is: No Evidence for an ‘Honesty Premium’ in Public Sector CultureDoes a public sector culture promotes honesty among workers?Through randomised trials in five countries, this research finds no evidence that activating a public sector identity reduces cheating. Policymakers should implement concrete measures for integrity instead of relying on assumed virtues
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Doing Behavioural Science More Collaboratively: Lessons from a Field Experiment What happens when policy interventions are rolled out without engaging with those affected the most? Solutions that look good on paper but fail in practice. Collaboration is not just an ethical ideal, but a practical…

bppblog.comDoing Behavioural Science More Collaboratively: Lessons from a Field ExperimentWhat happens when policy interventions are rolled out without engaging with those affected the most? Solutions that look good on paper but fail in practice. Collaboration is not just an ethical ideal, but a practical necessity for creating interventions that work in the real world.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

The Persuasive Effects of Narrative Entertainment Edutainment can shape audiences’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. A meta-analysis of 77 experimental studies shows that the effects are real, nudging people in the intended direction.

bppblog.comThe Persuasive Effects of Narrative EntertainmentEdutainment can shape audiences’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. A meta-analysis of 77 experimental studies shows that the effects are real, nudging people in the intended direction.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Why Policy Design Must Account for the Psychology of Compliance Policies designed to encourage people to speak up – from whistleblower protections to conflict-of-interest disclosures – often fail because they address informational barriers, not social ones. Effective policy must reduce the social…

bppblog.comWhy Policy Design Must Account for the Psychology of CompliancePolicies designed to encourage people to speak up – from whistleblower protections to conflict-of-interest disclosures – often fail because they address informational barriers, not social ones. Effective policy must reduce the social cost of dissent, not just permit it.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

The ‘rationality wars’ in BPP: Why they persist and how to move beyond them Is Behavioural Public Policy (BPP) about correcting biased decisions or working with people’s adaptive heuristics? This blog argues the 'rationality wars' are not new, and the plurality of rationality can be an asset.

bppblog.comThe ‘rationality wars’ in BPP: Why they persist and how to move beyond themIs Behavioural Public Policy (BPP) about correcting biased decisions or working with people’s adaptive heuristics? This blog argues the 'rationality wars' are not new, and the plurality of rationality can be an asset.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Can a digital nudge clean up the streets? How Behavioural Science helped reduce littering in the UK Littering is one of those persistent public problems that often feels unsolvable. Campaigns urging people to "do the right thing" rarely lead to lasting behaviour change, and enforcement is costly.…

bppblog.comCan a digital nudge clean up the streets? How Behavioural Science helped reduce littering in the UKLittering is one of those persistent public problems that often feels unsolvable. Campaigns urging people to "do the right thing" rarely lead to lasting behaviour change, and enforcement is costly. A behaviourally-informed digital intervention is tested and shown to shift public habits more effectively.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Getting people to the door, and through it: Lessons on improving take-up of public programs Public programs often struggle to reach the people they are meant to help. In this blog post, Christian Schimpf, Vince Hopkins, Priscilla Fisher, and Jeff Dorion explain how behaviourally-informed email…

bppblog.comGetting people to the door, and through it: Lessons on improving take-up of public programsPublic programs often struggle to reach the people they are meant to help. In this blog post, Christian Schimpf, Vince Hopkins, Priscilla Fisher, and Jeff Dorion explain how behaviourally-informed email messages can successfully encourage enrolment in employment services.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Promoting Our Better Angels in Public Life: Can we Nudge People Honest? Much of public life is built on the assumption we act honestly with one another and with the state. But self-interest and wider perceptions of corruption and trust might lead to dishonest behaviour. Can we encourage more…

bppblog.comPromoting Our Better Angels in Public Life: Can we Nudge People Honest?Much of public life is built on the assumption we act honestly with one another and with the state. But self-interest and wider perceptions of corruption and trust might lead to dishonest behaviour. Can we encourage more honesty through a simple nudge?
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Giving Workers a Voice Boosts Productivity What if the secret to boosting productivity isn’t stricter rules or higher pay, but something as simple as giving workers a voice? Sherry Jueyu Wu shares a field experiment from the production floors of a Chinese factory, which asked whether participatory…

bppblog.comGiving Workers a Voice Boosts ProductivityWhat if the secret to boosting productivity isn’t stricter rules or higher pay, but something as simple as giving workers a voice? Sherry Jueyu Wu shares a field experiment from the production floors of a Chinese factory, which asked whether participatory meetings – in which workers spoke and supervisors listened – could increase productivity. The answer is yes. These findings challenge conventional wisdom about hierarchy and efficiency, and suggest that voice may be a powerful yet underutilized tool for organizations.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Beyond Simplistic Narratives: The META-BI Framework for Nudges in Behavioural Public Policy When we talk about behavioural interventions, we often need to simplify complex concepts, but this can leave critical questions unanswered. The META-BI framework provides shared terminology to foster…

bppblog.comBeyond Simplistic Narratives: The META-BI Framework for Nudges in Behavioural Public PolicyWhen we talk about behavioural interventions, we often need to simplify complex concepts, but this can leave critical questions unanswered. The META-BI framework provides shared terminology to foster clearer and more productive behavioural science discussions, across disciplines and with practitioners.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

How Can We Personalise Nudges? A one-size-fits-all approach to nudging can be ineffective, or even backfire. Personalising nudges is a way of recognising and acting upon known heterogeneity across and within groups of people to deliver successful behaviour change.

bppblog.comHow Can We Personalise Nudges?A one-size-fits-all approach to nudging can be ineffective, or even backfire. Personalising nudges is a way of recognising and acting upon known heterogeneity across and within groups of people to deliver successful behaviour change.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Algorithms and Autonomy: Regulating Recommender Systems in the Age of Hyper-Nudging Recommender systems are online algorithms that can help users, reducing complexity and search costs. But they also target and exploit behavioral biases. Recommender systems lend themselves to regulation through…

bppblog.comAlgorithms and Autonomy: Regulating Recommender Systems in the Age of Hyper-NudgingRecommender systems are online algorithms that can help users, reducing complexity and search costs. But they also target and exploit behavioral biases. Recommender systems lend themselves to regulation through 'budges'.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

When and how behavior change can accelerate system change (and vice versa): Mapping reciprocal processes for climate change mitigation System change and individual behavior change are often conceptualized as mutually exclusive strategies for climate change mitigation – but what if this duality is…

bppblog.comWhen and how behavior change can accelerate system change (and vice versa): Mapping reciprocal processes for climate change mitigationSystem change and individual behavior change are often conceptualized as mutually exclusive strategies for climate change mitigation – but what if this duality is misguided? Denise de Ridder and Sander Thomaes map four pathways illustrating that system change is effective when it promotes behavior change and vice versa.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Beyond Technical Safeguards: Human Behaviour is the Missing Piece in AI Safety AI safety discussions predominantly focus on easy to conceptualise, highly salient risks including algorithm bias, hallucinations and disinformation. While these are crucial concerns, they overlook a fundamental truth…

bppblog.comBeyond Technical Safeguards: Human Behaviour is the Missing Piece in AI SafetyAI safety discussions predominantly focus on easy to conceptualise, highly salient risks including algorithm bias, hallucinations and disinformation. While these are crucial concerns, they overlook a fundamental truth we've learned from other high-stakes fields like aviation and healthcare: sometimes the most dangerous risks can hide in plain sight. Dr Moira Nicolson and Holly Marquez (Government Communications, Cabinet Office, UK Government) introduce a framework for anticipating and managing these risks, supporting a safer rollout of AI use in the public sector and beyond.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

IBPPA Blog: Reflections from the 2025 Singapore Workshop From keynote visions of ‘Behavioural AI’ to field experiments on job matching and green transport, the 2025 BPP Workshop in Singapore showcased how rigorous behavioural science meets real-world policy. Two days blended cross-disciplinary…

bppblog.comIBPPA Blog: Reflections from the 2025 Singapore WorkshopFrom keynote visions of ‘Behavioural AI’ to field experiments on job matching and green transport, the 2025 BPP Workshop in Singapore showcased how rigorous behavioural science meets real-world policy. Two days blended cross-disciplinary panels, data-rich case studies and Marina Bay networking, sparking fresh collaborations across sustainability, labour, finance and AI.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Yes we can! Collective action framing increases support for hard climate policies What if climate communication could enhance support for unpopular but necessary policies? Valerie Dewaelheyns and colleagues show that collective action framing can increase public acceptance of climate adaptation…

bppblog.comYes we can! Collective action framing increases support for hard climate policiesWhat if climate communication could enhance support for unpopular but necessary policies? Valerie Dewaelheyns and colleagues show that collective action framing can increase public acceptance of climate adaptation policies and strengthen citizens' belief in society's collective power to tackle climate change.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

From AC to me: Can social norms encourage personal cooling in Chinese offices? As global temperatures rise, so does our reliance on air conditioning (AC), which accounts for 7% of global electricity use in 2022. But what if the solution to sustainable cooling is not just about better AC technology…

bppblog.comFrom AC to me: Can social norms encourage personal cooling in Chinese offices?As global temperatures rise, so does our reliance on air conditioning (AC), which accounts for 7% of global electricity use in 2022. But what if the solution to sustainable cooling is not just about better AC technology to cool the entire space, but about changing our behaviour to cooling ourselves? Maggie Yang explores how social norms can encourage office workers in China to adopt personal cooling strategies, potentially saving energy while maintaining comfort.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

How can academia and government work together better to make evidence-based policy? Academics and civil servants have an interest in effective collaboration and “knowledge exchange”, including the sharing of ideas, evidence and expertise. However, the two sectors have different ways of operating…

bppblog.comHow can academia and government work together better to make evidence-based policy?Academics and civil servants have an interest in effective collaboration and “knowledge exchange”, including the sharing of ideas, evidence and expertise. However, the two sectors have different ways of operating and different – sometimes competing – goals. If they can understand each other better, then they can get the most out of working together.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Nudging Tax Compliance in Pakistan: Lessons from a Large-Scale Text Message Experiment Tax compliance remains a thorny issue for governments worldwide—especially in developing countries where informal economic activity, mistrust in government, and limited enforcement capacity create persistent…

bppblog.comNudging Tax Compliance in Pakistan: Lessons from a Large-Scale Text Message ExperimentTax compliance remains a thorny issue for governments worldwide—especially in developing countries where informal economic activity, mistrust in government, and limited enforcement capacity create persistent gaps between potential and actual tax revenues. Can a few carefully worded text messages make a difference?
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Seeing is believing: Information does not impact polluting behaviour, unless you can see it  Air pollution is a worldwide challenge. Despite the serious environmental and health effects, pollution can go unnoticed until very dangerous levels are reached. Rita Abdel Sater, Mathieu Perona, Elise…

bppblog.comSeeing is believing: Information does not impact polluting behaviour, unless you can see it Air pollution is a worldwide challenge. Despite the serious environmental and health effects, pollution can go unnoticed until very dangerous levels are reached. Rita Abdel Sater, Mathieu Perona, Elise Huillery and Coralie Chevallier use a novel and safe method to make pollution more visible, and demonstrate that personalised feedback can change household behaviours. The Great Smog of London: when pollution became impossible to ignore…
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

From Resistance to Acceptance: Making Climate Policies Work for People The IPCC suggest that a further 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions could be achieved with more extensive sustainable behaviour change. Yet, when this change impinges on our daily lives, some initial pushback is…

bppblog.comFrom Resistance to Acceptance: Making Climate Policies Work for PeopleThe IPCC suggest that a further 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions could be achieved with more extensive sustainable behaviour change. Yet, when this change impinges on our daily lives, some initial pushback is inevitable. This article explores how trust, fairness, and transparency create conditions in which people feel confident to embrace lifestyle changes to benefit their own health and the future of the planet.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

The Ethics of Behavioural Public Policy in Practice: A Study on Policy Makers’ Views Mathieu Prevelato introduces a new study exploring policy makers’ views on the ethics of behavioural public policy, and invites feedback on it.

bppblog.comThe Ethics of Behavioural Public Policy in Practice: A Study on Policy Makers’ ViewsMathieu Prevelato introduces a new study exploring policy makers’ views on the ethics of behavioural public policy, and invites feedback on it.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Every little hurts: Even small amounts of ‘sludge’ undermine the adoption of environmentally friendly business practices Policymakers often introduce programs to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices. But even minor administrative hurdles - known as "sludge" - can…

bppblog.comEvery little hurts: Even small amounts of ‘sludge’ undermine the adoption of environmentally friendly business practicesPolicymakers often introduce programs to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices. But even minor administrative hurdles - known as "sludge" - can significantly reduce take-up of sustainable practices. Manuel Grieder, Deborah Kistler and Jan Schmitz draw on a field experiment with Swiss firms and offer ways forward.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Corporate needs you to handle misinformation yourself – behavioural science can help Misinformation thrives in an environment where platform providers shape the rules yet evade responsibility. As companies like Meta and X dismantle fact-checking and relax content moderation, users are left to…

bppblog.comCorporate needs you to handle misinformation yourself – behavioural science can helpMisinformation thrives in an environment where platform providers shape the rules yet evade responsibility. As companies like Meta and X dismantle fact-checking and relax content moderation, users are left to navigate a fragmented and often deceptive digital landscape. But behavioural science offers solutions. In this blog, Christoph M. Abels walks us through the strategies that help individuals critically assess information, resist manipulation, and adapt to a world where platforms no longer seriously attempt to verify content for accuracy.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Happy new year 2025 from the IBPPA! In our first blogpost of 2025, Leonhard Lades and Kate Laffan look ahead to the exciting events and opportunities for the IBPPA community. Hope you can join us! Get involved, stay informed, become a member. A lot is happening in the world of behavioural public…

bppblog.comHappy new year 2025 from the IBPPA!In our first blogpost of 2025, Leonhard Lades and Kate Laffan look ahead to the exciting events and opportunities for the IBPPA community. Hope you can join us! Get involved, stay informed, become a member. A lot is happening in the world of behavioural public policy (BPP)! While BPP is still a relatively young scientific field, the activities happening this year suggest that we are maturing and growing, which is looking promising for the future.
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Why New Year’s resolutions matter: The psychology behind the tradition Ivo Vlaev, Professor of Behavioural Science, University of Warwick New Year’s resolutions represent more than just a fleeting tradition; they offer a powerful opportunity for self-reflection and intentional growth. Rooted in…

bppblog.comWhy New Year’s resolutions matter: The psychology behind the traditionIvo Vlaev, Professor of Behavioural Science, University of Warwick New Year’s resolutions represent more than just a fleeting tradition; they offer a powerful opportunity for self-reflection and intentional growth. Rooted in six fundamental psychological needs shared by all humans, resolutions serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. Here’s why they matter and how they can transform lives. 1. Reflection and Growth…
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

In 2025 my colleagues Manu Savani (Brunel) & Andriy Ivchenko (LSE) will run these BPP accounts for @cambridgeup.bsky.social. We're looking forward to the year. Do think about joining the IBPPA. See you at our 2025 events Tony @tonyhockley.bsky.social (LSE) www.ibppa.org

ibppa.orgInternational Behavioural Public Policy Association | IBPPAThe International Behavioural Public Policy Association provides an umbrella organisation for all those who are involved and/or interested in the growing multidisciplinary field of behavioural public ...
Behavioural Public Policy
@bppjournal.bsky.social

Meat, masculinity & freedom; a challenge for behavioural policy bppblog.com/2024/12/26/m... #behavsci #behaviouralscience #masculinity #menshealth #climatechange #meat #veganuary

bppblog.comMeat, masculinity & freedom; a challenge for behavioural policyRob Velzeboer, University of British Columbia Excessive meat consumption is increasingly scrutinised for its impacts on the environment, animal welfare, and public health. Men’s consumption of meat…

Behavioural Public Policy reposted

Rotem Perach
@drrotemperach.bsky.social

PhD in social psychology/behavioral science 👇 Details on PhD funding for applicants here: www.westminster.ac.uk/study/postgr... Please get in touch before you apply

westminster.ac.ukQuintin Hogg Trust PhD Studentship | University of Westminster, London
Rotem Perach@drrotemperach.bsky.social

📣 Strong background in social psychology/behavioral science? Come do a PhD with me in on public health messaging. Competitive funding, Feb deadline: www.westminster.ac.uk/study/postgr... Please RT