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Knowledge4Policy
KNOWLEDGE FOR POLICY

Competence Centre on Behavioural Insights

We support policymaking with evidence on human behaviour

Page | Last updated: 26 Nov 2024

CCBI Publications

The CCBI regularly publishes its work both as European Commission

reports and policy briefs aimed at policymakers

and in scientific outlets targeted at academia and the wider world. 

Many of the publications we produce or contribute to are co-authored with colleagues across the European Commission, in the Joint Research Centre, and with (acadmic) experts in the respective fields. Below, they are presented by theme, covering behavioural insights in EU policymaking and our main focus for specific policy areas.

Where indicated, replication packages are available on the JRC Data Repository 📊 in our Behavioural Insights Data Collection .

The contents of the publications do not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use that might be made of those publications.

BI in EU policymaking

We aim to apply behavioural insights (BI) in EU policymaking and to build capacity for promoting the use of BI within the European Commission. For this purpose, we occasionally publish reports fundamentally focused on BI as a tool, on their prevalence and use within public authorities, as well as on the work and position of our team within the EU policy context and the field of behavioural science as such.

Highlighted publications on BI in EU policymaking and the CCBI

TitleAuthorsYearPublication 
NewsletterCCBI TeambiannualArchive
The evolution of behaviourally informed policy-making in the EUBaggio, M.; Ciriolo, E.; Marandola, G.; van Bavel, R.2021European Journal of Public Policy
Nudges can be transparent and yet effectiveBruns, H.2021Policy brief
How can behavioural insights be used to improve EU policy?Troussard, X.; van Bavel, R.2018Intereconomics
Behavioural insights applied to policySousa Lourenço, J.; Ciriolo, E.; Rafael Almeida, S.; Troussard, X.2016Science for Policy Report

 

 


 

Fair society

Behavioural insights can play a crucial role in shaping policies that promote fairness and equality in society. By informing the design of policies that better address the needs and challenges faced by citizens, BI help create policies that are both effective and equitable, ultimately leading to a fairer society where individuals have equal opportunities to thrive. The CCBI always had a strong focus on consumer protection, and also publishes on other topics relevant to a fair society such as employment, inclusion and equality, finance and tax issues, as well as migration.

Highlighted publications on BI for a fair society

TitleAuthorsYearPublication Data
Support for temporary protection of displaced populations in the EU: A conjoint experimentKrawczyk, M.; Blasco, A.; Gajderowicz, T.; Giergiczny, M.2024European Journal of Political Economy 
Testing a policy intervention in the lab: differences between students and non-students in switching bank accountsProestakis, A.; Marandola, G.; Sousa Lourenço, J.; van Bavel, R.2024Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics 
Behavioural drivers and interventions of socially responsible investmentBruns, H.; Marandola, G.; Pantazi, M.; van Bavel, R.2024Technical report 
Using QR codes to access food information: a behavioural study with European consumersGaudeul, A.; Krawczyk, M.W.2023Technical report📊
Employees’ reaction to gender pay transparency: an online experimentBaggio, M.; Marandola, G.2022Economic Policy📊

 

 


 

Resilient society

Improving societal resilience is key to managing important transitions and absorbing shocks, be they natural or man-made, and their impact on our socio-economic-environmental systems and on people. Understanding the behaviour of citizens and relevant actors - both in the 'cold' phase (i.e., before), and in the ‘hot’ phase (i.e., during such events) - ensures the development of efficient policies to enhance the capacity of European societies in dealing with them. The CCBI regularly conducts studies in relevant areas, including health, disaster preparedness, and risk perception.

Highlighted publications on BI for a resilient society

 

 


 

Sustainability transitions

The transition towards a competitive sustainable economy respecting planetary boundaries requires a broad set of adaptations, including behaviour changes, on various levels. Behavioural sciences can provide important insights on the underlying drivers of behaviours that impact our environment and suggest adequate ways to address them. The CCBI publishes frequently on issues in relevant areas of policy, including energy, environment, agriculture, and waste.

 

Highlighted publications on BI in the sustainability transitions

TitleAuthorsYearPublication Data
The more the better? Synergies of prosocial interventions and effects on behavioural spilloversAlt, M.; Bruns, H.; Della Valle, N.2024Journal of Environmental Economics and Management📊
Behavioural insights to reach European Union consumer food waste reduction targetsBruns, H.; De Laurentiis. V.; Laura García Herrero, L.; Listorti, G.2024Food Policy 
Positive, negative or graded sustainability labelling? Which is most effective at promoting a shift towards more sustainable product choices?Thøgersen, J.; Dessart, F.J.; Marandola, G.; Hille S.L.2024Business, Strategy and the Environment📊
Behavioural insights for waste-sorting labels in the European UnionBeaumais, O.; Kirakozian, A.; Lazaric, N.; Bruns, H.; Dupoux, M.2024Science for Policy Report 
Willing or complying? The delicate interplay between voluntary and mandatory interventions to promote farmers' environmental behaviorBarreiro-Hurlé, J.; et al.2023Food Policy📊

 

 


 

Technology and AI

The digital transformation remains a key priority within the EU and advancements in technologies, such as AI, continue at tremendous speed. This speed comes with the need to critically assess the impact of new digital technologies on people's behaviour as well as its implications for society. This includes classic online behaviour, but also increasingly dynamic interactions between people and AI tools. The CCBI has previously published on online behaviour, and is expanding its work on human - AI interaction.

Highlighted publications on BI and technology

TitleAuthorsYearPublication 
Understanding the impact of human oversight on discriminatory outcomes in AI-supported decision-makingGaudeul, A.; et al.2024Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Applications
Nudging for bad? The case of cookie consent bannersBruns, H.; Gaudeul, A.2021Policy brief
Nudging online privacy behaviour with anthropomorphic cuesRodríguez-Priego, N.; van Bavel, R.; Monteleone, S.2021Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy
Framing effects on online security behaviorRodríguez-Priego, N.; van Bavel, R.; Vila, J.; Briggs, P.2020Frontiers in Psychology
Using protection motivation theory in the design of nudges to improve online security behaviorvan Bavel, R.; Rodríguez-Priego, N.; Vila, J.; Briggs, P.2019International Journal of Human-Computer Studies