Behavioral Science for Public Policy

The goal of this course is to strengthen students’ ability to apply insights from the behavioral sciences to the design of policies and interventions that enhance the well-being of individuals and societies across diverse global contexts. We will pursue this goal by:

- Introducing key origins and recent advances in behavioral science research, drawing from psychology and behavioral economics.
- Critically examining the gaps that persist between research, evidence, and real-world practice.
- Applying core behavioral science theories and strategies to the analysis and design of policies and interventions, with specific policy domains or institutional contexts.

The applications we explore will span multiple domains, including public health, environment, management, education, business, politics, and international development.

This class is not a comprehensive survey of behavioral economics or social psychology. Instead, it offers a curated selection of research and theories that are especially valuable for thinking about practical application.