About
The Network for Integrated Behavioural Science (NIBS) is a partnership among the Universities of Nottingham, Warwick and East Anglia.
It was founded on 31 December 2012 and intitially funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) until 30 September 2017 (NIBS1). During this time the Network comprised of a cross-disciplinary group of researchers from economics, business, computer science, mathematics and psychology, whose remit was to develop and test models of human behaviour and behavioural change, to draw out their implications for the formulation and evaluation of public policy.
With growing interest in policy tools which take into account the realities of people's perceptions, judgements and choices, NIBS1 sought to synthesize the different accounts of the underpinnings and dynamics of human behaviour by combining the expertise of nineteen experienced researchers in three major UK centres for behavioural research and seven international centres of excellence in behavioural science.
Following a successful bid to the ESRC Large Grants Competition, the Network was awarded over £2 million to extend and advance the achievements of NIBS1 for a further period from 1 October 2017 to 30 June 2022. This new grant period, known as NIBS2, was led by the same Director (Professor Chris Starmer) and a research team that included key participants from the original network with strategically-chosen additions.
The aim of NIBS2 was to focus on advancing behavioural science relevant to the understanding of consumer behaviour; market response to that behaviour; and regulation of markets and formulation of public policy. It will do so at the general level and with specific reference to consumer and household finance. The reconfiguration of the research team reflected the new focus on consumers and consumer markets.
During the grant-funded period, the NIBS Advisory Group consisted of external academic advisors and affiliate members representing business, industry, media and government. They provided a sounding-board for NIBS research and results, which are of interest to:
- those wishing to predict and influence individual or group/population behaviour
- commercial enterprises trying to understand and serve customer needs
- third sector organisations aiming to advance the welfare of the individuals and groups with whom they are concerned,
- policy makers charged with the promotion of social welfare.
Operational decisions for NIBS were made by the Management Group which consisted of:
- Chris Starmer (Principle Investigator and Director of NIBS based at Nottingham)
- Gordon Brown (Co-Investigator at Warwick)
- Robin Cubitt (Co-Investigator at Nottingham)
- John Gathergood (Co-Investigator at Nottingham)
- Graham Loomes (Co-Investigator at Warwick)
- Bruce Lyons (Co-Investigator at East Anglia)
- Robert Sugden (Co-Investigator at East Anglia)
Former Management Group members: Abigail Barr (Nottingham) & Theodore Turocy (East Anglia).
As of 1 July 2022 NIBS receives no direct funding but its members continue to collaborate on research projects, many of which were initially funded by the ESRC. Colleagues also make the most of other networking opportunities which arise.
"Student Away Day" at East Anglia's Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Science (CBESS) led by NIBS Co-Investigator, Professor Ted Turocy