BIG Difference has compiled a list of recommendations that captured our interest, kept us asking hard questions, and inspired us to continue applying BI to tough challenges for you to enjoy this holiday season.
Travelling with behavioural insights on a transformative journey across countries and continents
This is how the roads I traversed and the choices I made brought me to BC BIG. I mentioned in my interview that working at BC BIG was my dream job, and I was not exaggerating. BC BIG literally gives me the chance to work across ministries and address the different determinants of health, all from the place where important policy decisions are made — the public service.
Laying the foundations for a behavioural intervention project — Part Two
In this blog series, created for Experimentation Works, we will focus on the first two phases of our (BC BIG)’s RIDE Model for Behaviour Shift. This post, the second in the series, will cover the ‘research’ phase.
Laying the foundations for a behavioural intervention project — Part One
In this blog series, created for Experimentation Works, we will focus on the first two phases of our (BC BIG)’s RIDE Model for Behaviour Shift. This post, the first in the series, will cover the ‘scoping’ phase. While scoping is certainly nothing new to public servants, there are a few aspects of scoping a behavioural insights (BI) project that make it unique.
Bridging the Gap from Intention to Action in Conservation
In British Columbia, we identify with our expansive forests, soaring mountains, ocean shores, and fresh water. Where we sometimes get stuck — for many good reasons — is in making that connection between appreciating and valuing nature to taking action to protect it. Behavioural insights — or BI — can provide a bridge across that tricky space between intention (I want to protect nature that I value) and action (changing my actual behaviour to help make that happen). And BI can show us that sometimes, with just a little nudge in the right direction, we can make a big difference with even small actions.
Using Behavioural Insights to Help Unemployed British Columbians During COVID-19
Through its WorkBC program, the Ministry offers valuable job-seeking services. These include employment counselling and training support — even something as simple as looking over a resume. Services are free and WorkBC has a great track record of success. But for a variety of reasons, some clients delay applying.
To ensure timely uptake, the Ministry partnered with the BC Behavioural Insights Group.
How local governments are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed all of our lives, at home and at work. Here at the BC Behavioural Insights Group, we’ve rapidly redeployed several of our team members to support the BC Government’s response. In this entry, we’re sharing a resource outlining how local governments are using behavioural insights to respond to COVID-19.
Hi everyone! I’m Christine, BC BIG’s new Senior Behavioural Scientist.
What I'm Reading These Days
We’re hearing it repeatedly — without a vaccine, the most effective tool we have to suppress the spread of the coronavirus is massive widespread behaviour change. So, what’s the best way to promote these desired behaviours (increase hand washing, staying home) and discourage harmful ones (panic buying, sharing false information)? This question requires a rich understanding of what’s shaping our actions during this time and a set of tools to measure the effectiveness of various interventions.
Physical distancing is our current best bet against COVID-19
Our chief provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, recommends that to combat the spread of COVID-19 we need to “hold the line” and continue physical distancing. So why isn’t everyone doing it? In the absence of effective treatments or a vaccine, physical distancing will give us the best chance to limit transmission in the medium-term and avoid a spike in infections.