Our core research consists of three inter-related methodological streams:

    1. Understanding the psychology of economic behaviour and outcomes across the life-cycle.
    2. Developing naturalistic and lab-to-field methods for understanding economic behaviour and outcomes
    3. Developing ethical frameworks for integrating behavioural research into public policy. As part of our methodological development, we have recently established the UCD Behavioural Science & Policy Laboratory.


We contribute to three key areas of public policy:

Environmental Behaviour

The group applies behavioural economics to environmental policy, trial design, diary studies, life-cycle models, and links to mental health. Collaborators include EnvEcon, EPA, ESRI, and SEAI.

Health and Well-Being

Research at the group deals with life-cycle modelling, self-control, policy evaluation, behavioural economics applied to health, interaction of health psychology and behavioural economics, mental health, interaction of health and economic factors, socioeconomic disparities, and diary studies. Collaborators include the HSE, Beaumont, Department of Health, and more.

Financial Decision Making

The group focuses on life-cycle models, diary studies as decision making analysis tool, elicitation of complex preferences, intervention design and evaluation, behavioural regulation, and ethical interventions. Collaborators include AIB, Central Bank, and Revenue Commissioners.