Suggested News and Media

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  BSPA Invites Nominations for Two Awards

  The Behavioral Science & Policy Association (BSPA) will hold its annual conference online, May 1 & 2, 2025. More than 500 leading behavioral scientists, policy makers, executives, and members of the media are expected to attend. All the programming, uniquely fit for digital, will be hosted online with live streaming and interactive sessions from 11am-5pm (EST).

  BSPA Invites Nominations for Two Awards
  PUBLICATION AWARD FOR INNOVATION IN BEHAVIORAL POLICY
  For research that advances the rigorous application and development of behavioral/social science to policy and practice in public, private and non-profit sectors. Its goal is to encourage work that has potential to improve the quality of life of individuals and/or organizations. We will consider all research published, in journals or as books, in the years 2022-2025. The date must be the in-print date rather than the online date. Self-nominations are welcome. Submit nominations to:
  https://behavioralpolicy.org/publication-award/

  NEW INVESTIGATOR AWARD
  This award recognizes an early‐career scholar who received their doctoral degree in the last five years, so no earlier than 2020. The award recognizes a scholar whose body of work has advanced the rigorous application and development of behavioral/social science to policy and practice in public, private and/or nonprofit sectors. Submit nominations to: https://behavioralpolicy.org/bspas-new-investigator-award/
  The submission deadline for both awards is EOD April 4, 2025.
  Winners will be announced at BSPA’s Online Conference, May 1-2, 2025

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  Increasing Commuting Via Public Transit

  How can we get more people to take public transit rather than drive to work? This article in Slate draws on behavioral science research—some of which was published in BSP — to argue that although commuting habits are deeply entrenched, significant disruptions—such as life changes or external events—can prompt individuals to reassess their travel choices which creates opportunities for interventions that encourage more sustainable options like public transit and biking. Effective change requires both improved infrastructure and behavioral nudges timed to moments of transition.

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  The Rise of the Food Desert

  Access to healthy foods is a critical piece of a healthy life, however, people living in food deserts lack convenient access to affordable, fresh groceries. Here, The Atlantic covers the emergence of food deserts and describes what can be done, at a policy level, to improve access to healthy food.

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  The Danger of “Banking” With a FinTech App

  The convenient way users can send and store money in Fintech apps like Venmo, has led to a steady increase in their use as an alternative to traditional banks. However, as covered here by Vox, users may be unknowingly exposing their money to risks due to limited FDIC insurance protections, susceptibility to scams, and poor customer service.

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  Twitter’s Proposed Solution to Digital Political Polarization

  In recent Congressional testimony, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey reviewed a “health” initiative for users, including how Twitter could serve as a space to reconcile political opposition. Yet Sociologist Christopher Bail (Duke) cautions against policy action to support Dorsey’s efforts. Bail’s work shows that Twitter may actually lead to further polarization.

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  Decision-Making as a Required Course in School?

  Behavioral science probably isn’t what comes to mind when you think of grade school curricula, but writer Steven Johnson is trying to change that. This week, Johnson makes the case for integrating decision-making courses into lower grades. Also, in the Behavioral Scientist, Tom Wein shows us how we can integrate behavioral science into “edutainment” to benefit people at different ages, from kids in school to adults making decisions for later in life.