Behavioural Economics Applied Research (BEAR)
Unit(s) of assessment: Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience; Computer Science and Informatics; General Engineering; Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology; Business and Management Studies; Law; Social Work and Social Policy; Education; Politics and International Studies
Research theme(s): Digital, Technology and Creative | Health Innovation | Safety and Sustainability
School: Nottingham Business School
Who we are
The Behavioural Economics Applied Research (BEAR) group explores how people make decisions by using methods from experimental and behavioural economics. At its core is the Behavioural Impact Research on Decision-making (BIRD) laboratory, which follows strict standards from the wider research community. We carry out studies across a range of fields including economics, business, psychology, law, and politics, using tools like lab and field experiments, theory, and qualitative research.
What we do
We work with partners around the world and take a global view of human behaviour. Our experimental approach helps us uncover the root causes of problems and design practical solutions, from small nudges to broader policy changes. Our behavioural tools are designed to support governments, companies, and small businesses in creating lasting, positive impact.
Our work covers a wide mix of topics such as:
- consumer behaviour
- company culture
- corruption across the globe
- decision-making, risk-taking behaviour and business performance
- digital behaviours and cybersecurity
- employee wellbeing and productivity
- energy usage
- ethical behaviour in and outside the workplace
- financial behaviour, financial wellbeing and financial inclusivity
- incentives for vaccination.
Related staff
- Dr Theodoros Alysandratos, University of Heidelberg, Germany
- Professor Abigail Barr, University of Nottingham
- Dr Cormac Bryce, CASS, City St. George's University of London, UK
- Professor Elizabeth David-Barrett, University of Sussex, UK
- Professor Sander De Leeuw, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands
- Professor Marcus Giamattei, Bard College Berlin, Germany
- Professor Sebastian Goerg, Florida State, USA / TUM, Munich, Germany
- Professor Roberto Hernan Gonzalez, Burgundy School of Wine, Dijon, France
- Dr Frederic Krumbein, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- Dr Zhe Liang, University of Nottingham, Education, UK
- Professor Danny McGowan, Birmingham University, UK
- Professor Abhijit Ramalingam, Appalachian State University, USA
- Professor Joel Stiebale, University of Duesseldorf, Germany
- Dr Dorotha Winkler, University of Nottingham, Computer Science
- Hanh Nguyen
- Ashley Purcell
- Balikees Rotinwa-Oseni
- Spencer Ryan-Prewett
Current projects
- International deal-making, beliefs and local social norms: We study how international laws, and enforcement can help spread integrity and anti-corruption values across borders, working with researchers at the University of Nottingham, the University of Sussex, City University of London, and Bard College Berlin.
- Engage for Success: Behavioural Economics Thought and Action Group: We run experiments to understand behaviour and build tailored interventions to improve motivation, cooperation and engagement in organisations.
- Green gaming: We work with Team17 to measure the willingness of gamers to engage in energy-saving behaviour.
- Nottingham hospitals: We work with Nottingham University Hospitals on a range of projects, including smoking prevention and discharge lounge usage.
- Vaccination: We explored attitudes towards vaccination in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. The study also investigated how advisers influence vaccination decisions.
- Polarisation around the globe distinguishes discrimination and anti social behaviour driven by stereotypical thinking and polarised groups in the UK, Germany, Italy and Zimbabwe.
- Green investments or 'do you put your money where your mouth is' focusses on investment decisions when green investments compete with profitable conservative investment forms.
- Norm erosion due to missing leadership looks at global examples, how bad leadership and wrong leading by example harms the wellbeing of countries and organisations.
- Trust in Machines explores how humans interact with algorithms and robots. Focal points are fairness, perceived discrimination and trust in machines or humans.
- Corruption in Health Crisis. The project focus is to tackle increasing corruption when crisis hits. Risks and strategies are identified in Malawi.
- How leadership styles improve engagement, cooperation and motivation.
See also the pages of each of the members of BEAR for our individual projects.
Past projects
- The Behavioural Drivers of Corruption in Public Procurement: We explore how personality traits and social norms influence corruption in public procurement in Mexico, South Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia, in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
- Changing Company Culture: We work with NHS Scotland and HMRC to understand institutional values and design plans to improve organisational culture using behavioural economics.
- Engage for Success: Line Manager Thought and Action Group: We explore how line managers influence employee engagement and how they put engagement initiatives into practice.
People we worked with
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- HMRC
- NHS Scotland
- Nottingham University Hospitals
- Basel Institute on Governance
- Team17
Do you need our help?
If you think the expertise of BEAR can help, send an email to bear@ntu.ac.uk. Describe your issue and challenges as precisely as possible, and we will get back to you.