A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for increased collaboration between behavioral economists and policymakers and examines the future research directions for the field of behavioral economics.  

While economists consider behavioral influences in their work, behavioral economics is a narrower field that incorporates insights from the behavioral sciences into economic models of human behavior. These insights can be applied to policies to encourage people to make choices that, for example, promote health, support financial well-being, or protect the environment. The new report highlights how behavioral economics has built invaluable evidence about why people may act in seemingly irrational ways, how they respond to interventions, and how public policy can be designed to help people make better decisions. 

The committee that wrote the report explored current research in health, retirement benefits, social safety net benefits, climate change, education, and criminal justice. The report provides recommendations for researchers, policymakers, universities, and government units to increase collaboration, pursue research about the application of behavioral economics, integrate behavioral specialists into policy development, and increase investment in interdisciplinary research. 

The report, Behavioral Economics: Policy Impact and Future Directions, is now available for immediate release. Members of the committee that wrote the report will present their conclusions and recommendations during a webinar on Tuesday, April 25, starting at 1 p.m. EDT. Speakers are: 

• Alison M. Buttenheim (committee co-chair), professor and scientific director of the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania
• Robert A. Moffitt (committee co-chair), Krieger-Eisenhower Professor, Johns Hopkins University, and member of the National Academy of Sciences 

For inquiries, reporters can contact the Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or email news@nas.edu.