The Behavioral Science of Policy and Organizations with Nina Mažar

This episode features an insightful conversation with the fantastic Nina Mažar. Nina has been part of founding BEworks, BEAR (Behavioral Economics in Action at Rotman center), and the World Banks' behavioral science team. She is currently professor of marketing and co-director of the Susilo Institute for Ethics in the Global Economy at Boston University.

We cover several interesting topics, including how Nina got started in the field, three pieces of advice for starting a behavioral science unit, nudging for diversity and honesty, plus what to get next time you're ordering Balkan food. Enjoy!

Links:

• Nina's website, LinkedIn and Twitter
• Nina's TEDx talk on honesty and intentions
• Habit Weekly Pro 🚀

Timestamps

00:23: Episode overview

01:41: Interview begins

02:02: Nina details her background in behavioral science

04:29: How Nina’s work in both industry and academia shaped her view on behavioral science research

08:49: Nina discusses setting up the World Bank’s behavioral science unit

11:59: Nina’s advice on setting up a behavioral science team in an organisation

• Get shared buy-in within the organisation
• Data collection capacities and well-functioning internal systems
• Have a legal team on board

17:01: Reflecting on studies on dishonesty and nudging people via signature at the top

22:04: Why is the “bad apple” narrative so persistent?

24:16: How can behavioral science help counter discrimination and racism?

28:22: Countering gender bias in news reporting in Sweden via transparency

32:42: Underrated vs Overrated

• Revealed preferences
• Rationalisation
• Replication studies
• Crotian cuisine
• Bosnian cuisine
• Place’s Nina has lived
• Origami

39:02: How Nina applies behavioral science in her own life

41:03: Concluding remarks

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Timestamps & shownotes compiled by Keith Broni 🏆

The song used is Murgatroyd by David Pizzaro.

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