Publications

Making Behavioral Science Work for Conservation

Stanford Social Innovation Review, January 2026 (with Burgess & Reisch)

Argues that conservation has yet to systematically apply behavioural science, lacking the structural integration, standardised frameworks, and rigorous evaluation needed to move beyond isolated nudges to lasting biodiversity outcomes.

Solutions to Plastic Pollution with Community-Based Behavior Change

Rare, GEF & UNDP, 2025 (with Williamson)

Reviews the behavioural science of plastic waste reduction and documents community-level case studies from six countries, from nudges and choice architecture to social norms and behaviourally informed policy.

No Lists, No Problem: A Cost-Effective Geospatial Solution for Conservation Research

Society for Conservation Biology, 2025 (with Del Rosario, Thulin & Ashraf)

A geospatial tool that enables conservation researchers to draw representative survey samples without expensive administrative datasets or comprehensive population lists.

Levers of Behavior Change: A Guide to the Science and Applications

Rare's Center for Behavior & the Environment, 2024 (with Williamson)

Expands the traditional environmental toolkit beyond information, rules, and incentives by adding three behavioural levers: emotional appeals, social influences, and choice architecture, with guidance on applying all six to environmental challenges.

Behavioural Science for Climate Change Adaptation in Fiji

IISD & Rare, 2024 (with Dekens & Mannle)

Maps six behavioural determinants shaping the adoption of vetiver grass for riverbank rehabilitation in Fiji, showing why a well-intentioned climate adaptation programme stalled and how to redesign it.

Expanding Beyond Nudge: Experiences Applying Behavioral Science for Comprehensive Social Change

In: Behavioral Public Policy in a Global Context, Springer, 2023 (with Pascual & Thulin)

The Behavioral Science Behind Environmentally Friendly Refills

Rare & Mekong Inclusive Ventures for ICM Falk Foundation, 2023

Comparing Utility Functions Between Risky and Riskless Choice in Rhesus Monkeys

Animal Cognition, 2022 (with Seak, Schultz & Ferrari-Toniolo)

To Scale Behavior Change: Target Early Adopters, Then Leverage Social Proof and Social Pressure

Behavioral Scientist, 2021 (with Karak)

Complex Behavioral Challenges Require Multi-Faceted Behavioral Solutions: Driving Change in Sustainable Agriculture

Behavioral Economics Guide, 2021 (with Thulin)

A Brief History of Behavioral and Decision Sciences

In: Psychology and Behavioral Economics, Routledge, 2021 (with Ruggeri et al.)

Adaptation of Utility Functions to Reward Distribution in Rhesus Monkeys

Cognition, 2021 (with Ferrari-Toniolo & Schultz)

Nonhuman Primates Satisfy Utility Maximization in Compliance with the Continuity Axiom of Expected Utility Theory

Journal of Neuroscience, 2021 (with Ferrari-Toniolo, Grabenhorst, Báez-Mendoza & Schultz)

Behavior Change: What's the Brain Got to Do with It?

Rare, 2020

The Science of Changing Behavior for Environmental Outcomes: A Literature Review

Rare & GEF STAP, 2020 (with Williamson & Thulin)

Behavior Change Interventions in Practice: A Synthesis of Criteria, Approaches, Case Studies & Indicators

Rare & GEF STAP, 2020 (with Williamson & Thulin)

Adaptive Economics: A Neuroethological Approach to the Study of Preferences, Biases, and Choice

Doctoral Dissertation, University of Cambridge, 2019

Probability Distortion Depends on Choice Sequence in Rhesus Monkeys

Journal of Neuroscience, 2019 (with Ferrari-Toniolo & Schultz)

The Psycho-Social Theory of Change: Indicator Selection and Adaptive Management Based in Behavioral and Social Science

In: Integrating for Sustainability, Springer, In Press (with Thulin, Williamson & Green)