Tag: behavioural Insights

Applied SociologyLeave a comment
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Writing an Executive Email

Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

I drafted the email it’s going up to our executives seeking endorsement of our latest randomised control trial. It’s one of many steps that we still need to take before we can proceed and it’ll probably be two months before we get secretary sign off (the final approval before we can begin preparing to go into the field).

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Social PolicyLeave a comment
People walking in Martin Place station underground. A large monitor shows an ad with stick figure people: one is green, seated, and listening and singing to their music; the other figures are black - one is pregnant, the other uses a walking stick, and the other stands

Using social norms on public transport

Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Below is an example of how social norms can encourage a change toward a desired behaviour. A sign at Martin Place station, in Sydney, reminds people: ‘Some reasons for needing a seat are harder to spot than others.’ This is known as behavioural insights – the use of behavioural and social sciences like psychology, economics, anthropology and sociology for social policy and services.

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Social PolicyLeave a comment
People seen walking, from the back, in Sydney

How to improve justice programs

Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Reducing reoffending is a state priority in New South Wales. New sentencing reforms will increase referrals to behaviour change programs or other support services for people who are at high-risk of reoffending. Yet non-mandatory programs can often have low participation rates, particularly when programs are new.  

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Social PolicyLeave a comment
A group of white peole stand and look at a poster they've made

Emergency decision-making

Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Flood-related fatalities have been an ongoing problem in Australia since the early 1900s. This post reflects how our team worked through this behavioural issue, and brainstormed problems, during a recent masterclass we ran with NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES).

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Applied SociologyLeave a comment
Chess board and timer on a table

Gaming the ice breaker

Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Our team went to an external event to socialise with colleagues from a company who are frequent collaborators. Most people had not yet met one another. We were put into groups with a mix of four people from the two organisations. This is the first time I’ve seen an ice breaker turned into a competition. It led to mixed results.

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Social Policy1 Comment
A young man is using a saw while an older man works in the background

Education and training

Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Our new research shows apprentices who cancel their employment contracts do so because they often feel they are subjected to tough working conditions for little pay (undertaking menial, repetitive tasks and long hours), receiving little guidance about their progress on the job. How can behavioural science help?

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