At ideas42 we do a lot of work applying behavioral science to challenges in higher education. Obtaining a university education is an incredibly strong predictor of individual earnings and economic mobility. But, unfortunately, the barriers to completing a degree are growing, with ballooning costs and student debt stifling economic growth and opportunity. This growing crisis […]
For many of us, saving enough for retirement remains a murky, unrealized goal. Behavioral science has already proven useful in some ways, but there are still many opportunities to apply a behavioral lens to better preparing for the future. In Mexico, not putting aside enough for retirement is a persistent problem for many people. As […]
ideas42’s network of academic affiliates represent some of the world’s foremost experts in behavioral science. In their efforts to address some of society’s toughest problems—from poverty alleviation to improving health care—these scholars have continually generated surprising and often counterintuitive scientific insights about why we make the choices we do. Their research illuminates our behavioral interventions […]
“If you don’t have money, if you don’t come from money, then your whole life is a struggle.” Though Mark* said this with a smile, we sensed his exhaustion. He spoke lovingly of his 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son, but explained that it was difficult to balance looking after his family with complicated work schedules. […]
With a six-fold increase in global water use over the last century, the availability of fresh water has emerged as a critical issue for environmental sustainability. Water scarcity is an issue that policymakers must address with urgency — states like California already face one of the worst droughts in history. The United Nations estimates that by […]
Over the past two years, the ideas42 team has run more than 15 higher education projects at colleges and universities around the country. Our goal is to use behavioral science insights to design low cost interventions that improve student outcomes – both academic and financial. In the process we’ve taken a crash course in the […]
Imagine you’ve been stuck in a meeting that ran into the lunch hour and you’re hungry—really hungry. You’ll focus on your hunger, craving whatever is closest and finding it tough to stick to long-term nutritional goals like maintaining low cholesterol. A very hungry version of you will also be more easily deterred by any short-term […]
In April 2015 the UK Government will introduce big changes to the rules surrounding how people can access their pension pots. The changes are complex, but the overall effect will be to give pension holders much more flexibility to spend or invest their savings as they choose when they reach 55. With this increased freedom […]
In Fall 2014, 7.3 million students matriculated at community colleges across the United States. Many were first-time freshmen who faced a number of important decisions: whether to enroll full- or part-time, what course of study to pursue, which classes to select. As the semester unfolded, they were confronted with smaller but still consequential choices: Should […]
by ideas42
The American Economic Association (AEA) wrapped up its annual three-day meeting last weekend with the 2013 John Bates Clark Medal recipient Raj Chetty addressing a packed ballroom in Boston’s Sheraton Hotel. Known for his keen eye for the importance of details often ignored by other researchers, Chetty used the spotlight to make the case for […]
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