Behavioral Insights Group

The Behavioral Insights Group (BIG) brings together Harvard’s outstanding group of decision research scholars, behavioral economists, and other behavioral scientists focused on improving how decisions are made by leaders, organizations and individuals. Better decision-making can:

• Improve educational systems,
• Improve health,
• Reduce discrimination,
• Protect the environment,
• Increase social connection,
• Save time,
• Improve personal and public finances

Seminal books such as Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, and Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman, have revealed how behavioral economics and other behavioral sciences shed light on decision making processes. These insights can do much more than improve how individuals make important personal decisions. They can also help leaders make better decisions about major policies—and ensure those policies effectively improve society.

BIG is fortunate that many of the world’s best decision research scholars, behavioral economists, and other behavioral scientists are at Harvard, and are eager to apply their expertise to our most challenging problems. In addition to acting as a network and convener for behavioral science faculty across the university, the Behavioral Insights Student Group is an active network of students interested in the theory and practice of behavioral science in a wide range of disciplines. BISG hosts events, including book talks, and career fairs, as well as networking events for behavioral science students to connect with each other, alumni, researchers, and practitioners.