"Standard economics assumes that we are rational... But, recent evidence shows that we are far less rational in our decision making... Our irrational behaviours are neither random nor senseless- they are systematic and predictable. We all make the same types of mistakes over and over, because of the basic wiring of our brains" - Dan Ariely, Behavioural Economist

The Marshall Society is honoured to present Dr David Halpern as our final speaker of Michaelmas Term 2013. Dr David Halpern is full time to head the Government's Behavioural Insight Team, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government, currently on secondment to both No.10 and the Cabinet Office. Dr Halpern previously worked as Chief Analyst in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit (2001-2007), leading numerous reviews and authoring many of the Strategy Unit's most influential papers.

As the Head of Government's Behavioural Insight Team (often called the Nudge Unit), Dr Halpern manages a team that applies insights from academic research in behavioural economics and psychology to public policy and services. In this lecture, Dr Halpern will talk about the importance of his team's work, and the intrinsic link between behavioural economics/psychology and public policy making - as well as offering a vision for the field going forward.

The field of behavioural economics/psychology is expanding rapidly, and therefore the Marshall Society is delighted to be able to host one of the world's prominent behavioural scientists. This talk will be a fantastic end to our Michaelmas events, and will be of interest to all students studying economics, politics, psychology and more.