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Competence Centre on Behavioural Insights

We support policymaking with evidence on human behaviour

CCBI Publications

  • Page | Last updated: 09 Jun 2026

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

 

All our other publications on BI in EU policymaking
TitleAuthorsYearPublication Data
A new approach for impactful research & innovation policymaking - Strategic recommendations for advancing policy experimentation in EuropeCuello, H.; et al.2025Technical report 
Neuro-nudging and predictive models: Adaptive ethics for behavioural scienceLavery, T.J.; et al.2024In: The Behavioral Economics Guide 2024 
The role of autonomy and reactance for nudging — Experimentally comparing defaults to recommendations and mandatesBruns, H.; Perino, G.2023Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics📊
Mapping the demand side of computational social science for policyBertoni, E.; Fontana, M.; Gabrielli, L.; Signorelli, S.; Vespe, M. (editors)2022Science for Policy Report 
Nudges can be transparent and yet effectiveBruns, H.2021Policy brief 
Behavioural Insights for EU Policymakingvan Bavel, R.2020in: Science for Policy Handbook 
The application of behavioural insights to policy in EuropeCiriolo, E., Sousa Lourenco, J.; Rafael Almeida, S.2019in: Handbook of Behavioural Change and Public Policy 
How can behavioural insights be used to improve EU policy?Troussard, X.; van Bavel, R.2018Intereconomics 
The case for qualitative methods in behavioural studies for EU policy-makingvan Bavel, R.; Dessart, F.J.2018Science for Policy Report 
Two converging paths: behavioural sciences and social marketing for better policiesDessart, F.J; van Bavel, R.2017Journal of Social Marketing 
Behavioural insights applied to policySousa Lourenço, J.; Ciriolo, E.; Rafael Almeida, S.; Troussard, X.2016Science for Policy Report 
Behavioural insights applied to policy: Country overviews 2016Sousa Lourenço, J.; Ciriolo, E.; Rafael Almeida, S.; Dessart, F.J.2016Science for Policy Report 
Behavioural insights applied to policy application to specific policy issues and collaboration at EU levelDessart, F.J.; Sousa Lourenço, J.; Rafael Almeida, S.; Ciriolo, E.2016Workshop Report 
Seven points to remember when conducting behavioural studies in support of EU policy-makingvan Bavel, R.; Rodríguez-Priego, N.; Maghiros, I.2015Science for Policy Report 
Applying behavioural science to EU policy-makingvan Bavel, R.; Herrmann, B.; Esposito, G.; Proestakis, A.2013Scientific and 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📊

 

All our other publications on BI for a fair society
TitleAuthorsYearPublication Data
Fairness of the EU migration and asylum systemBlasco, A.; et al.2025Policy Brief 
Public perceptions of fairness in the European migration and asylum systemBlasco, A.; Cabeza Martinez, B.; Icardi, R.; Krawczyk, M.; Seiger, F.2025Technical report 
Navigating migration narrativesSeiger, F.; et al.2025Science for policy report 
Engaging citizens in EU missions - Insights from a six-country experimental surveyBaeck, P., et al.2025Independent expert report 
The Impact of Gender Composition Information on Attitudes Toward Refugees: Evidence From a Survey ExperimentBlasco, A.; Krawczyk, M.; Nohlen, H.2024working paper 
Science Communication as a Collective Intelligence Endeavour: A Manifesto and Examples for ImplementationHolford, D.; et al.2023Science Communication 
Front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes: an update of the evidence. Addendum to the JRC Science for Policy report “Front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes: a comprehensive review”, published in 2020.Nohlen, H.; et al.2022Technical report 
Literature review on means of food information provision other than packaging labelsWerle, C.; Nohlen, H.; Pantazi, M.2022Technical report 
Consumer understanding of origin labelling on food packaging and its impact on consumer product evaluation and choices: A systematic literature review.Thøgersen, J.; Nohlen, H.; Ciriolo, E. (editor)2022Technical report 
(Mis-)perception of Inequality: Measures, determinants and consequences.Marandola, G.; Xu, Y.2021Technical report 
Beyond averages - Fairness in an economy that works for peopled'Hombres, B.; et al.2020Science for policy report 
Front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes: a comprehensive reviewStorcksdieck genannt Bonsmann, S.; Marandola, G.; Ciriolo, E.; van Bavel, R.; Wollgast, J.2020Science for policy report📊
Empirical testing of the impact on consumer choice resulting from differences in the composition of seemingly identical branded productsDi Marcantonio, F., et al.2020Technical report 
Europeans’ perceptions of fairnessDessart, F.J; Marandola, G.2019Policy Brief 
Applying behavioural insight to encourage consumer switching of financial productsMarandola, G.; Proestakis, A.; Sousa Lourenço, J.; van Bavel, R.2019Technical report 
What makes a fair society? Insights and evidenceDewar, M.; et al.2018Science for policy report 
Nudging to Prevent the Purchase of Incompatible Digital Products Online: An experimental studyEsposito, G.; Hernández, P.; van Bavel, R.; Vila, J.2017PLOS ONE 
Do behavioural insights matter for competition policy?Ciriolo, E.2016Policy Brief 
Insights from behavioural sciences to prevent and combat violence against women. Literature reviewRafael Rodrigues Vieira De Almeida, S.; Sousa Lourenço, J.; Dessart, F.J.; Ciriolo, E.,2016Science for policy report 
Context-dependent cheating: Experimental evidence from 16 countriesPascual-Ezama, d.; et al.2015Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 

 


 

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

 

All our other publications on BI for a resilient society
TitleAuthorsYearPublication 
Some persuasion techniques make misinformation more persuasive but backfire for true informationNohlen, H.; Bruns, H.2025Policy Brief 
Behavioural Insights (BI) for EU: a case study on embedding BI into public health policy-makingBaggio, M.; et al.2024Policy Brief 
Vaccination demand and acceptance: a literature review of key behavioural insightsHoffmann, M.; Baggio, M.; Krawczyk, M.W.2023Technical report
COVID-19 Vaccination: Exploring the Behavioural Determinants and Interventions through a Literature ReviewRomanius, R.; et al.2023Technical report 
When science becomes embroiled in conflict: Recognizing the public’s need for debate while combating conspiracies and misinformationLewandowsky, S.; et al.2022The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic phases and future wavesBaggio, M.; Nohlen, H.; Proestakis, A.2022Policy Brief
COVID-19: Conspiracies and Collateral Damage vs Constructive CritiqueLewandowsky, S.; et al.2022in: The Cognitive Science of Belief
Covid-19 misinformation: Preparing for future crisesBruns, H.; Dessart, F.J.; Pantazi, M.2022Science for policy report
Applying lessons from behavioural sciences to vaccination acceptance and demandBaggio, M.; Krawczyk, M.W.; Nohlen, H.; Pantazi, M.; Proestakis, A.2022Technical report
Network interventions for changing physical activity behaviour in preadolescentsProestakis, A.; et al.2018Nature Human Behaviour
Tracing how normative messages may influence physical activity intentionvan Bavel, R.; Esposito, G.; Baranowski, T.; Duch-Brown, N.2017Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology
Applying behavioural insights to drug policy and practice: opportunities and challengesRafael Almeida, S.; Sousa Lourenço, J.; Ciriolo, E.2017Science for policy report
Applying the model of goal-directed behavior, including descriptive norms, to physical activity intentions: A contribution to improving the theory of planned behaviorEsposito, G.; van Bavel, R.; Baranowski, T.; Duch-Brown, N.2016Psychological Reports
Self-identified obese people request less money: A field experimentProestakis, A.; Brañas-Garza, P.2016Frontiers in Psychology
Is anybody doing it? An experimental study of the effect of normative messages on intention to do physical activityvan Bavel, R.; Esposito, G.; Baranowski, T.2014BMC Public Health
Countering obesity by combining behavioural insights and novel ICT toolsCaldeira, S; et al.2013Scientific and policy report

 


 

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

 

All our other publications on BI in the sustainability transitions
TitleAuthorsYearPublication Data
Second interim report for design and behavioural research study to create evidence-based, EU harmonised consumer waste sorting labelsNegrini, M.; Liva, G.; Wiese, J.2026External Study Report 
Setting the scene for harmonised waste-sorting labels in the European UnionBruns, H.; Borsello, A., Dupoux, M., Gaudillat, P. and Hamarat, Y.2024Science for Policy Report 
Factual summary report of targeted stakeholder consultation on EU harmonised waste sorting labels as part of the packaging and packaging waste regulationBruns, H.; Dupoux, M.; Hamarat, Y.; Papa, F.2025Technical Report 
Design and behavioural research study to create evidence-based, EU harmonised consumer waste sorting labels - Interim report 1Liva, G.; Mariani, I.; Negrini M.; Rodes, C.; Schmittinger, F.; Tolino, U.; Wiese, J.2025External Study Report📊
Barriers to implementing EU green policies - Behavioural insights from a workshop with the expert group on public administration and governanceDupoux, M.; Martens, D.2025Technical Report 
Behavioural insights for waste-sorting labels in the European UnionBeaumais, O.; Kirakozian, A.; Lazaric, N.; Bruns, H.; Dupoux, M.2024Science for Policy Report 
Behavioural insights to reach European Union consumer food waste reduction targetsBruns, H.; De Laurentiis. V.; Laura García Herrero, L.; Listorti, G.2024Food Policy 
Behavioural Insights into Smart EV Charging: Advanced Experiments at the JRC Ispra Living Lab for testing Digital Energy SolutionsTarantola, S.; et al.2024Technical Report 
Synergies of interventions to promote pro-environmental behaviors – A meta-analysis of experimental studiesAlt, M.; Bruns, H.; DellaValle, N.; Murauskaite-Bull, I.2024Global Environmental Change📊
Willing or complying? The delicate interplay between voluntary and mandatory interventions to promote farmers' environmental behaviorBarreiro-Hurlé, J.; et al.2023Food Policy📊
Segmenting consumers and tailoring behavioural interventions to reduce consumer food wasteBruns, H.; Nohlen, H.2023Science for Policy Report 
Perspectives on stakeholder participation in the design of economic experiments for agricultural policymaking: Pros, cons, and twelve recommendations for researchers.Höhler, J.; et al.2023Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy 
How to reduce consumer food waste at household level: A literature review on drivers and levers for behavioural changeVittuari, M.; et al.2023Sustainable Production and Consumption 
Energy savings at home and workBlasco, A.; Alt, M.; Gangl, K.2023Technical report 
A simple introduction to using experiments to evaluate consumer food waste interventionsBruns, H.; Nohlen, H.2023Technical report 
Tools, best practices and recommendations to reduce consumer food waste - A compendiumCandeal, T.; et al.2023Technical report 
Scoping consumer food waste: an evaluation framework of prevention interventionsGarcía-Herrero, L.; et al.2023Technical report 
Evaluation of consumer food waste prevention interventionsSwannell, R.; et al.2023Technical report 
Literature review on drivers of consumer food waste and levers for behavioural changeVittuari, M.; García-Herrerro, L.; Caldeira, C.; Bruns, H.; Sala, S.2023Technical report 
Combining interventions to promote pro-environmental behaviours - The role of incentives and norms for effective climate interventionsAlt, M.; Della Valle, N.; Bruns, H.2023Policy brief 
From sustainability competences (GreenComp) to sustainable behaviourDessart, F.J.2022Policy brief 
Separate collection of municipal waste: citizens’ involvement and behavioural aspectsCristobal Garcia, J.2022Technical report 
Environmental policy mixes have a high potential, but must be handled with careAlt, M.; Della Valle, N.; Bruns, H.; Murauskaite-Bull, I.2022Policy brief 
Comparing the impact of positive, negative, and graded sustainability labels on purchase decisionsDessart, F.J; Marandola, G.; Hille, S.L.; Thøgersen, J.2021Policy brief 
Farmers and the new green architecture of the EU common agricultural policy: A behavioural experimentDessart, F.J.; et al.2021Science for policy report 
Farmers’ views on EU agri-environmental policiesDessart, F.J.2019Science for policy report 
Behavioural factors affecting the adoption of sustainable farming practices: a policy-oriented reviewDessart, F.J.; Barreiro-Hurlé, J.; van Bavel, R.2019European Review of Agricultural Economics 

 


 

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 Data
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 

 

All our other publications on BI and technology

 

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