Our approach to applied research seeks to directly help individuals towards more equitable and self-determined lives. We always ask: how will our work benefit whom this is supposed to help? How does their context shape their preferences? What does this mean for sustained and meaningful behavioral change?
We ground our research in context, and customize our recommendations to what that context requires.
While we work on research insights that can be swiftly turned into action, much of our work uncovers deeper insights for the long term.
Our work might look broad—spanning diverse sectors such as agriculture, inclusive finance, individual and public health, and good governance. Yet it is our commitment to using rigorous behavioral science to alleviate poverty, coupled with a deep appreciation of the research and policy context, that makes us boutique.
Most research on the Global South is based on the research agendas, funding, and researchers in the Global North. A stark reminder of this is that less than 1% of published psychology research has African researchers as first authors in high-impact journals, or Africans in participant samples is conducted.
This creates inequity in knowledge production today, and lessens the relevance of that knowledge tomorrow.
We place ourselves at the cutting-edge of research by centering the geographic boundaries of knowledge squarely where the knowledge will be applied; right here in the Global South.
Our research needs to contribute to our understanding of human behavior, and have relevance to decision-makers. This means a commitment to putting behavioral approaches center stage, while actively incorporating other methodologies, disciplines, and ways of thinking.
While policymakers and practitioners are increasingly integrating behavioral insights into their programs, the field is still in its infancy.
Much of applied behavioral science is still a translation of Global North perspectives into the Global South.
We see our role as amplifier for the voices of the people we serve, and to help our partners listen to, and respond to those voices.
To create a thriving behavioral science ecosystem in the Global South, we are building the community and capacity of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who use behavioral science to identify and solve wicked global problems.
This happens through our support for North/South and South/South networks, internal and external capacity building (through sharing our resources and tools), and by building the next generation of behavioral scientists.