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Behavioral Policy Incubator

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Image Credit: Robin Bachmann

Turning Behavioral Science Into Real-World Solutions

Lead: Dr. Robin Bachmann

The Behavioral Policy Incubator is part of the one-year Master’s seminar “Psychological and Behavioural Science for the World”. Modeled after leading behavioral insights teams (like the UK’s Behavioural Insights Team) and based on Nobel Prize-winning science (see Nudge), graduate students apply behavioral science to real-world challenges, from organizational problems to pressing societal issues.

Participants develop innovative, behavior-based interventions designed to create real impact and drive change. Some of these solutions continue beyond the seminar, with students implementing them in their careers, social initiatives, or volunteer projects.

Projects

Tricky Problem

Behavioral Solution

Expected impact

Team

Incubator 2024/25

Too few women in leadership positions in large organizations

Default effect:

Automatically include all qualified women in the application process, requiring them to actively opt out

Creates a new norm, encouraging women and managers, leading to more women leaders

Lea Beutner, Anouk Michael & Fanni Kleilein

Low uptake of social benefits among disadvantaged groups

Simplification effect:

App uses simple questionnaires to identify benefits and nudges users through respective forms

Increases uptake of social benefits and helps reduce economic inequality

Ronnie J. Porterfield & Irem A. Sarica

Slow digitalization in German administration due to siloed solutions

Follower effect:

Track and publicize software reuse across offices, incentivizing leaders and IT staff on reuse

Increases reuse of existing software, fosters early collaboration, and accelerates digitalization

Jiyoung Ryu & Fatma Yüce

 

Projects beyond the seminar

Team

Projects

Ronnie J. Porterfield, Lea Beutner & Anouk Michael

Advising the Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt [German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering] on behavioral interventions to boost engagement in Ehrentag 2026 [National Volunteering Day]