BRU Programmes
Who we work with, on what topics
Below are our current projects related to Finance and Consumer Choice, Household Services, Health, and the Environment. For previous projects, please see our publication list.
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
The Behavioural Economics of Housing Transactions
Research for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is investigating whether the way houses are transacted in Ireland is a potential source of unfairness for buyers and sellers, and contributes to higher price volatility. The research is undertaking comparisons to systems in other countries to provide evidence to underpin potential reforms.
The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on low-income households
This study will examine how low-income households in Ireland have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and how they have adapted their behaviours to cope. The study will also look at the extent to which such households have availed of existing welfare benefits and support services that can help cope with financial strains, and what the barriers to the use of such supports might be. To do this, we will run a survey with a large nationally representative sample of participants from low-income households. Results are expected in the second half of 2024, and will provide important insight for policy and the design of interventions to help low-income households cope with financial pressures.
Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh
Shane Timmons
National Immunisation Office
Encouraging childhood immunisation
This project examines how behavioural science can help understand and encourage parents’ take-up of the primary childhood immunisation schedule (vaccines for babies aged 2-13 months). The programme began in early 2024 and will first involve a literature review and behavioural analysis of current touchpoints and materials, followed by empirical work.
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
We are carrying out a research programme for the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland that examines gambling behaviours, patterns of gambling and potential links between gambling and broader life outcomes. In 2023, we published a review of the international evidence on important policy-relevant issues around problem gambling (paper). Later that year, we ran a study measuring the prevalence of problem gambling in Ireland (paper). The best estimate from that study is that 1-in-30 adults in Ireland suffers from problem gambling – ten times higher than a previous measure from 2019. Data collected were also used to test the link between childhood experiences of gambling and problem gambling in later life (paper). In late 2024, we will publish studies looking at the effects of inducements to gamble (e.g. free bets) on gambling decision-making.
Department of the Taoiseach
Behavioural Responses to COVID Measures
Research on the Social Activity Measure (SAM) funded by the Department of the Taoiseach, is looking at lessons that can be learned for future emergencies. The work is focussing on how government can promote collective voluntary action.
Pete Lunn
Deirdre Robertson
Shane Timmons
Department of Health
Food Choice
This programme is funded by the Department of Health. We investigate how consumers make food choices, test potential interventions designed to promote better choices, and examine the public’s perceptions of the causes of obesity and how this relates to support for obesity-prevention policies.
In the first year, we conducted an experimental pre-test of different formats for calorie posting on restaurant menus. The study used a lab-in-the-field experiment that allowed us to track consumers’ eye-movements while they picked their lunch from a menu. The results (paper) showed that calorie posting reduced consumption, but the effect depended on the format. This behavioural evidence is informing planned legislation.
In the second year, we conducted two field trials to test whether the amount of high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods people eat can be reduced by printing salient visual cues on packaging that show appropriate portion sizes. The results (paper) showed that the visual cues reduced consumption in some subgroups of the population.
In a third study (paper), we looked at the effect of NutriScore labelling on consumer choice and consumption. The study involved consumers making real purchases in an online store. Consumers who shopped with Nutri-Score labelled products made healthier purchases compared to those who shopped without labels, and wider availability of healthy options increased healthier purchases.
A fourth study looked at how the public in Ireland, the UK, and USA perceive the causes, consequences and severity of obesity, as well as obesity prevention policies, compared to experts (working paper).We find significant differences between expert and public views and between countries.
The results of a fifth study on what explains differences in expert and public perceptions of obesity prevention policies will be available in late 2024.
Deirdre Robertson
Lucie Martin
Pete Lunn
Ylva Andersson
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
Tuberculosis (TB)
This research programme supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) began in Summer 2019. The programme investigates behavioural factors and remedies in support of the Government’s target of the eradication of TB from the Irish herd.
The first stage of the project is complete. We undertook a large scale qualitative study to elicit comprehensively and inclusively the views of Irish farmers on TB and its eradication in Ireland. Interviews with farmers identified multiple specific factors involved in decisions to implement measures aimed at reducing the risk of TB incident, contexts in which this is less likely, and farmers’ concerns with the programme as it stands.
Understanding these factors and which are most important in various contexts will be crucial to the success of the eradication programme in Ireland. The next stage of the research programme is being designed. It will investigate further with experimental methods the mechanisms identified in the qualitative stage, and measure their respective influences.
National Screening Service
Public Perceptions of Cervical Screening
A research programme funded by the National Screening Service investigates public perceptions of cervical screening in Ireland. The first study evaluated how well women in Ireland understand cervical screening, how much they trust the screening system and whether existing materials designed to inform women who are invited to participate in screening affect their comprehension and trust (working paper). Results showed that study participants in Ireland had lower trust and attributed higher blame towards screening services than participants in Scotland. However, exposure to information materials improved trust and reduced blame. The results of a second study to testing an intervention to further enhance comprehension and trust among Irish women will be available in late 2024.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Radon and Remediation
In one of multiple programmes funded by Environmental Protection Agency, we have tested ways to encourage people to test their home for exposure to radon. In the first phase, we conducted an online experiment to test how features of radon risk maps influence willingness to test for radon. The report is available here.
The next phase was a field trial. The trial tested whether behaviourally-informed letters issued to households can improve testing rates in high-risk areas. Results are available here.
The next phase will investigate ways to improve remediation rates for those affected by high levels of radon, with results expected in early 2025.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Improving Household Waste Management
In a programme funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, we are examining ways to improve household waste management. Work on this project began in 2022, and we are currently designing a field trial to be run with households. The aim is to test behaviourally-informed way to improve people’s use of recycling bins and food waste bins.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Perceptions of Environmental Risks
As part of the EPA-ESRI research programme, we are conducting research on how the public perceive multiple environmental risks, including radon, lead and air pollution. The first output from this project shows that measures of perceptions of environmental health risks in surveys can be biased by the survey instructions (paper). The second output, a descriptive report on public perceptions of environmental health risks, will be published in late 2024.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Greenwashing and Consumer Choice
In another EPA-ESRI research programme project, we are conducting experimental research on the effects of greenwashing on consumer choice. The first output was published in May 2024 with further results expected in late 2024.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA have commissioned us to investigate how eco-labels on products can be used to inform consumer choice and help consumers shift towards sustainable products. Results are expected in 2024.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Everyday Barriers to Climate Mitigation Behaviours
In another EPA-funded project, we used the daily reconstruction method to identify barriers to pro-climate alternatives of everyday behaviours (e.g. mode of transport, diet choices). The first output is available here with further results expected in 2024.
Ylva Andersson
Shane Timmons
Pete Lunn
The National Transport Authority
The National Transport Authority have commissioned us to examine the ways in which people think about active modes of travel and infrastructure implementation. Work has begun on the design of multiple studies, with the first outputs available here and here.
European Climate Foundation (ECF)
Climate Change and Ireland's Agricultural Sector
This research project funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF) investigates the perspectives of the agricultural sector on climate change and climate policy, comparing it with the general population in Ireland. The aim is to understand how members of the Irish farming community think about climate change; their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours around climate action and climate policy (especially relating to farming); and how their perspectives compare with those of the rural and urban Irish population.
The project involves a survey of the Irish farming community as well as of the Irish general population (rural and urban). Data collection for this project is currently underway and results are expected by late 2024.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Encouraging Cooperation in Climate Collective Action Problems
In this project for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we examine how behavioural science can help solve climate collective action problems. Climate change is a collective action problem because it requires people to cooperate to reach a collective goal (a liveable climate), even when doing so comes at a personal cost (changing our lifestyle to reduce our carbon emissions), which creates incentives to "free-ride" on other people's efforts. To understand how to encourage cooperation in such settings, we (1) conducted a narrative review on the behavioural science of cooperation, (2) carried out a systematic scoping review of available evidence on decision-making and behaviour in climate collective action problems, and (3) drew policy implications for Ireland from these reviews as well as identified open questions where more evidence is needed.
The report is currently in its final stages and will be published later in 2024.
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
Behavioural Research to Inform Greener Home Transformations (BRIGHT)
In a project funded under the SEAI’s RD&D funding, we are collaborating with UCD and Electric Ireland Superhomes to investigate behavioural barriers to retrofitting; develop interventions, tools and strategies to overcome these barriers; and test the effectiveness of these approaches in the field. Work is due to begin in late 2024 with first findings in 2025.
Deirdre Robertson
Department of Transport
Behavioural Science and Sustainable Transport Modes
We are due to begin work in late 2024 in a project funded by the Department of Transport on using behavioural science to promote sustainable transport. Initial results are expected in 2025.
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Cyber Security
We are undertaking a project funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications that explores ways to encourage online behaviours that help to prevent the possibility of cyberattacks.