MIND AND BEHAVIOUR RESEARCH GROUP

The Mind and Behaviour Research Group brings together economists, psychiatrists, and psychologists based at the University of Oxford as part of the Centre for the Study of African Economies. Their aim is to investigate the psychological impact of living in poverty and use findings to improve policy programmes.

ABOUT THE MBRG

The Mind and Behaviour Research Group (MBRG) conduct rigorous research on how psychology shapes economic decision-making, with a key focus on how the insights from behavioural science can inform anti-poverty programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Alongside their research, the MBRG also curates a set of resources for researchers seeking to apply psychological measures in their research, and summarises insights from behavioural research for policy makers and practitioners. The MBRG's main aim is to spark new policy conversations on using behavioural science in anti-poverty programmes.

You can find out more about the work of the MBRG by visting their website.

Men walking in a line through grass in Siaya Kenya

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Research at the MBRG is focused on low- and middle-income countries. Research themes include: Labour and Enterprise, Welfare and Poverty, Physical and Mental Health, Credit, Savings and Insurance, and Gender.

POLICY BRIEFS

In MBRG policy briefs, researchers summarise latest evidence from studies on behavioural design considerations for anti-poverty programmes from LMICs, drawing key lessons for policy makers.

POLICY PARTNERSHIPS

Through an advising partnership with the Project Management Office in the South African Presidency, the MBRG have worked to make evidence-based recommendations on the best policies to mitigate the recent spike in poverty and unemployment in South Africa. Find out more about their work.

Website
mbrg.bsg.ox.ac.uk

Contact
mbrg@bsg.ox.ac.uk

Follow
#MBRG

PROJECTS

ASPIRATIONS AND FORWARD-LOOKING BEHAVIOUR IN RURAL ETHIOPIA

CAN MATCHING ON SOFT SKILLS YIELD BETTER FIRM-WORKER MATCHES?

CASH TRANSFERS AND ASPIRATIONAL VIDEOS IN KENYA

CASH TRANSFERS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS

DOES PROVIDING POLLING INFORMATION AFFECT CITIZENS' ENGAGEMENT AND VOTE CHOICES?

INCREASING PREVENTIVE HEALTH INVESTMENTS IN KENYA

JOBSEEKERS' BELIEFS ABOUT COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE AND (MIS)DIRECTED SEARCH

OCCUPATIONAL SEGREGATION AND GENDER GAPS IN NAIROBI

TACKLING PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS TO JOB SEARCH AND EMPLOYMENT IN KENYA

UNDERSTANDING BENEFITS OF DIGITAL SECTOR TO IMPROVE MATCHING BETWEEN FIRMS AND JOBSEEKERS

WORKSEEKER SKILL SIGNALLING IN SOUTH AFRICA

RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION

CSAE RESEARCH PODCAST EPISODE ON CASH GRANTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

MBRG lead Kate Orkin speaks to CSAE Director Stefan Dercon in a special episode of the CSAE Research Podcasts series to celebrate her ESRC Impact Prize.

Listen to Kate discuss the wor

KATE ORKIN WINS ESRC IMPACT PRIZE 2023

MBRG lead Kate Orkin won an ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize for Outstanding Public Policy Impact. Find out more about the policy work behind the award.

MBRG Policy Partnerships

CSAE RESEARCH PODCAST EPISODE ON APPLYING WISE INTERVENTIONS AROUND THE WORLD

MBRG lead Kate Orkin hosts an episode of the CSAE Research Podcasts series with Greg Walton to discuss a distinctly social-psychological approach, called psychologically “wise” interventions. These interventions precisely address how people make sense of themselves, other people, and social situations.

Listen to Kate and Greg's podc

IMPROVING LABOUR MARKET OUTCOMES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dr Kate Orkin (University of Oxford) discusses her work as part of the MBRG on improving labour market outcomes for young people in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Watch Kate Orkin discuss her work

MENTAL HEALTH MEASUREMENT FOR ECONOMISTS

As part of the CSAE Conference 2021, the MBRG's Julia Ruiz Pozuelo (University of Oxford) chairs a discussion on mental health measurements for economists with Victoria Baranov (University of Melbourne), Crick Lund (University of Cape Town), and Miranda Wolpert (Wellcome Trust).

Watch the full MBRG panel

ASPIRATIONS AND GOAL SETTING IN KENYA

Dr Mahreen Mahmud (University of Exeter) discusses her work as part of the MBRG on cash transfers, aspirations and goal-setting: impact on female empowerment in Kenya.

Watch Mahreen Mahmud discuss her work

How do you accurately measure a person's beliefs? What's the best approach to measure risk attitudes? What methods minimise reporting bias? The MBRG Measures Matter series explores the answers to tricky research questions and more!

PEOPLE

Stefan Dercon

Director (CSAE); Academic Director (EPN); Professor of Economic Policy (Economics/BSG)

Alice Cahill

Economics

Kate Orkin

Associate Professor in Economics and Public Policy (BSG)

Jennifer Opare-Kumi

Senior Policy and Research Lead (What Works Hub for Global Education, BSG)

Dylan Reich

Research Assistant (BSG)

John Walker