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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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!
