Research Initiatives

Lerner Lab

Studying the effects of emotion on judgement, leadership, and decision-making.

The Lerner Lab at Harvard Kennedy School, led by Professor Jennifer S. Lerner, advances the science of judgment and decision-making to improve leadership and public policy.

We design and test theory-driven interventions to help leaders and institutions make better choices under risk and uncertainty. We focus particularly on the role of emotion—investigating how it shapes decisions and how it can be harnessed to strengthen, rather than undermine, sound judgment. Because decisions are made within complex and often noisy information environments, our work aims to identify strategies that help leaders focus on the most relevant evidence and act with clarity and fairness.

Students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars are trained in behavioral, physiological, and field-based research methods, preparing them to address complex real-world challenges. Through a rigorous and growing body of evidence, we help decision-makers avoid costly errors, elevate institutional performance, and craft policies that foster an informed, fair, prosperous, and resilient society.