Decoding choice to drive social change
The Behavioural Insights Unit is dedicated to promoting positive social change through the analysis and influence of human behaviour. Our goal is to promote discrete yet powerful transformations that result in tangible benefits for the community.
This is possible through a meticulous analysis of the factors that shape people’s actions and choices, as well as the identification of psychological and social mechanisms that can serve as catalysts for change. With a deep understanding of individual and group behavioural dynamics, the unit develops specific strategies to optimize communication, enhance the effectiveness of public policies, and promote initiatives with high social value.
We aspire to bring about substantial and enduring changes, focusing on targeted interventions that can exert significant influence.
Main Activities
- Analisi comportamentale e sociale: Conduzione di studi sul campo per comprendere i contesti e le dinamiche sociali
- Design di interventi per il cambiamento sociale: Supporto allo sviluppo di strategie comunicative, design dei servizi, modifiche dell’ambiente circostante e programmi educativi per facilitare l’adozione di comportamenti innovativi.
- Interventi formativi: Interventi per accrescere la consapevolezza in modo da facilitare l’adozione di nuovi comportamenti.
- Interventi su segmenti di popolazioni specifici: Azioni mirate per influenzare positivamente i comportamenti all’interno di organizzazioni e territori .
- Progettazione di strumenti digitali: Supporto alla creazione di applicazioni e piattaforme digitali per guidare il cambiamento comportamentale.
- Valutazione: valutazione di impatto dei cambiamenti comportamentali
Main areas of intervention
- Health prevention and promotion: We develop programs that encourage healthy and conscious lifestyles.
- Sustainable behaviours: We promote the adoption of eco-friendly practices to protect our planet.
- Equity and anti-discrimination: We contrast inequalities and promote social justice.
Social Inclusion: We work to build a more inclusive and supportive society.
Tools and methodologies
We use a combination of qualitative and quantitative research techniques to gain an in-depth understanding of decision-making structures and the social fabric, with a view to developing effective solutions that meet the needs of the desired change:
- Questionnaires and psychometric scales specific to intervention content
- Interviews and focus groups to deepen analysis of perceptions and opinions
- Co-creation processes and participatory methodologies to develop bottom-up interventions
- Impact evaluation of projects through experimental and quasi-experimental methods
- Games for social change as educational and awareness-raising tools (collaboration with GiX, Center for Research on Games for Social Change – University of Florence)
To know more:
Prof. Leonardo Boncinelli
Scientific Coordinator
Full Professor of Economic Policies at the University of Florence
Dario Menicagli
Coordinator of the Behavioural Insights Unit
dario.menicagli[at]pin.unifi.it