Civic Tech Field Guide
Sharing knowledge and productively growing the fieldThe Tech > Govtech > Behavioral economics programs - (17)
"Nudging in public policy continues to face concerns related to manipulation, paternalism, and the removal of choice. However, as Sunstein and other proponents argued, all government programs are at some level applying choice architecture and nudging. Setting defaults and program design choices more deliberately, guided by science, can improve service delivery and increase the well-being of citizens. But it is important to appreciate that critics remain. Therefore, providing transparency and accountability for behavioral interventions is essential to sustaining or building trust in government. Nudges and other interventions inspired by the behavioral sciences need to be publicly disclosed and debated, as is the case for public policies more generally." - Zeina Afif for The World Bank,
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ConsiliumBots
New York, NYConsiliumBots uses technology and data to help people make important decisions by turning complex and underutilized information into virtual assistance and personalized recommendations across education, housing, and other areas of government programs. Research has shown that providing relevant information at the right time can make a significant difference in students' trajectory by reducing school dropouts and introducing education options with better job prospects. They have so far created 36 digital solutions to address information asymmetries, supporting 3.9 million parents, students, and teachers from over 7 countries in the region. Some of these digital solutions have now been adopted as national public policies.
To highlight the global knowledge base of behavioural insights work in public policy, and bring the achievements of institutions to the fore, the OECD launched the Behavioural Insights Knowledge Hub and map in 2021.
A citywide experiment testing the impact of geographically targeted, high-pay-off vaccine lotteries
Philadelphia"We implemented a pre-registered, citywide experiment to test the effects of three high-pay-off, geographically targeted lotteries designed to motivate adult Philadelphians to get their COVID-19 vaccine...we do not detect evidence of any overall benefits."
Nudging the Nudger: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Performance Feedback to Service Agents on Increasing Organ Donor Registrations
Ontario, CanadaA RCT on government staff customer service reps found that providing information on organ donor registration rates led to a 25% increase in signups
Behavioural Insights at Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Wilton Park House, Wilton Pl, Dublin 2, IrelandTransitioning Ireland to a society based on sustainable practices will require behavioural insights to influence change.
eMBeD at the World Bank
The World Bank Group, H Street Northwest, Washington D.C., DC, USAUsing the Behavioral Sciences to Fight Global Poverty and Reduce Inequality
Test+Build is a digital platform that provides customers with the tools to design their own behavioural science interventions and run their own randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
New York City partnered with behavioral economics firm ideas42 and the University of Chicago Crime Lab to test simple “nudges” to get people to court; text reminders improved appearance rates, resulting in thousands fewer arrest warrants
Behavior Change for Good Initiative
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA, USAStepUp is a free habit building, science-based workout program developed by the Behavior Change for Good Initiative. The program is being launched in partnership with 24 Hour Fitness.
Predictiv
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)Predictiv helps organisations make better and faster decisions.
Common Cents Lab
Duke University, Durham, NC, USASolutions that aim to increase the financial well-being for low- to moderate-income people living in the United States
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