The behavioural sciences and, in particular, Behavioural Economics are alive with breakthrough studies which provide penetrating insights into why we behave as we do. We are learning how our brains are full of directional constructs from the cognitive biases, anchors and rules of thumb that we use to shortcut our decision-making and compel us to behave in one way vs. another - it is a great time to be a brain!
In order to take advantage of this rich seam, our industry needs to create more bridges between the academic world and our own. Our belief is this is very much a two way flow. Over the last four months we have developed a number of core relationships with universities on both sides of the Atlantic. We currently have working relationships with graduates and undergraduates in which we train them in applied BE and work with them on projects exploring current and potential choice architecture in different marketing categories. We are also looking at running co-sponsored BE experiments in which we will explore real client opportunities and challenges together. Many of our qualitative methodological approaches also involve different experts to deliver new perspectives and fresh insights into behaviour.
Relationships are now established with the following universities:Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, Columbia University, University of California - Berkeley, University of British Columbia, University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham and UCL.
"We are thrilled to have built these relationships with leading universities in the UK and US. We have concentrated on the decision sciences along with marketing, social and developmental psychology, economics and anthropology - all cross-disciplinary areas which tie into behavioural economics. We are now exploring potential relationships with universities which have relevant courses and research centres in China, India, Australia and South America and will have a global academic network established for 2012." Crawford Hollingworth, Founder, The Behavioural Architects
