Behavioral Public Policy in a Global Context / Progress in Mathematics (PDF)

"This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding, joining, or building an institution that applies lessons from behavioral science to public policy."

-Katherine L. Milkman, James G. Dinan Professor, Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania and Co-Director, The Behavior Change for Good Initiative

Behavioral science draws on research from across the social and natural sciences, and it has consistently shown that humans are not always rational. This insight has reshaped multiple fields, including economics, political science, and law. Since the early 2000s, the application of behavioral science to public policy has also grown exponentially. Policymakers and practitioners now regularly use behavioral science to rethink how they develop programs and solve social problems. The impact has been far-reaching; behavioral science has transformed how we think about the economy, public health, education, and beyond. In practice, behavioral insights have been used to raise tax revenues, help people access social welfare program benefits and employment opportunities, increase voter turnout, boost medication adherence, and more.

There are now hundreds of entities - international organizations, governments, business, and nonprofits - building and investing in internal behavioral science teams. Unfortunately, most of the hard work of putting these teams together and applying behavioral science insights happens "behind the scenes." This book unearths key stories and insights from pioneers in applied behavioral science.

Michael Sanders is Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Experimental Government Team in the Policy Institute at King's College London. He was founding Chief Executive of What Works for Children's Social Care and the first Chief Scientist of the Behavioral Insights Team, the world's first "nudge unit."

Shibeal O'Flaherty is a Ph.D. Candidate in Public Policy at King's College London. Her research focuses on applying behavioral science to improve welfare across a range of policy areas, including workplace wellbeing, access to benefits and programs, and sustainability.