The BIG Difference Advisory Board is a cross-sectoral group of Behavioural Insights enthusiasts and experts who help guide the growth and development of the BIG Difference BC community and its initiatives, like the conference, newsletter, and the blog. Our board members have very different backgrounds and day jobs, but they are united by a firm belief in the importance of understanding behaviour.
This year, we’re excited to welcome four new board members. In this post, our new members share a little bit about themselves and how BI informs their work. (To learn about our returning and former board members, check out our previous post introducing the inaugural board.)
Crystal Hall
Associate Professor of Public Policy and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Washington
Crystal Hall is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, her primary appointment is in the Evans School of Public Policy of Governance, with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Psychology. Her research and teaching lie at the intersection of behavioral science, public policy design and implementation, and equity. She also has collaborated with local, state, and federal governments in the United States, including an appointment to the former White House Social and Behavioral Sciences Team.
How does an understanding of behaviour support the work you do?
I became interested in studying psychology because I was fascinated by the science of studying judgment and decision making. When I began exploring how this field could apply to real-world problems, I never looked back. Applied behavioral science and behavioral insights are at the core of all of my teaching and research. I believe that no solutions to the biggest problems faced by humanity will be complete without incorporating a deep consideration of behavior.
Jeff Mackey-murdock
Senior Manager, Organizational Change Management, City of Vancouver
Jeff Mackey-Murdock has spent over 20 years helping various organizations transform their operations by harnessing their greatest untapped resource: The collective creative power & experience of their staff. As the Organizational Change Management lead for the city of Vancouver he attempts to ensure all major initiatives are done in a collaborative manner with the people that will be most impacted by the change. And while he is passionate about his role, on any given day Jeff would rather be in the mountains.
How does an understanding of behaviour support the work you do?
Being able to better understand, forecast, and predict behaviour and reactions to various initiatives within an organization, allows our team to provide a better support model to the people that are affected by any changes within their workplace. And when people feel heard & supported then projects and programs will yield better results.
Meghan Martin
Regional Immunization Leader, Population and Public Health Program, Fraser Health
Meghan Martin has a passion for health equity. She seeks out opportunities for systemic change to improve health outcomes for underserved populations. She currently works as the Regional Immunizations Leader for Fraser Health, supporting strategic planning and project management. Prior to her work in immunizations, Meghan worked as a Policy Analyst in Fraser Health’s Health Equity and Population Health Unit and as a Community Health Specialist representing Fraser Health in Surrey.
How does an understanding of behaviour support the work you do?
In health promotion, we talk about “making the healthy choice the easy choice”. People typically know the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviours, but are challenged to make healthy choices in real-time. By understanding what drives behaviour, health promoters can introduce program and policy changes that make it easier for people to adopt behaviours that promote health and wellbeing.
Sasha tregebov
Director for Canada, Behavioural Insights Team (BIT)
Sasha Tregebov is the Director and founder of the Canadian office of the Behavioural Insights Team, which works with organizations across Canada, helping them achieve their social impact goals through applied behavioural science. Prior to joining BIT in 2017, Sasha led Deloitte's behavioural insights function in Canada. Sasha holds a Masters degree in public policy and administration from Toronto Metropolitan University and served as a policy advisor in the Government of Ontario. Sasha lives in Montreal with his partner and their dog, Lucy!
How does an understanding of behaviour support the work you do?
The more nuanced and realistic model of human behaviour offered by behavioural science sits at the centre of everything BIT Canada does. We use this understanding to improve the design of public policy, programs, services and communications in close collaboration with our research and implementation partners.