The application of behavioural insights (BI) for advancing resource and sustainability policy in developing countries

I would like to pursue a DPhil in International Development, focusing on the application of behavioural insights (BI) for advancing resource and sustainability policy in developing countries. A prevailing characterisation of humans within policy circles is a rational economic one. However, behavioural economics, game theory and neuroscience have shown that people universally make suboptimal decisions. Research shows humans are subject to numerous cognitive biases and the exploitation of such bias to influence behaviour is the basis of 'nudge theory'. I would like to support an agenda seeking to mainstream the use of BI, specifically focusing on
opportunities within sub-Saharan Africa. This will involve exploring in-depth the contextual reality of citizens lives to understand the factors influencing their decisions. It may then be possible to derive recommendations for charities and policymakers about shaping the choice architecture, to encourage uptake of initiatives. This feeds into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development by helping understand and change the habits and behaviours that are preventing societies from achieving sustainable development.
Following Thaler and Sunstein's publication of 'Nudge' there has been an increase in the number of policy-makers attempting to leverage BI. Nudge utilises BI to change the choice architecture and encourage individuals to make 'good decisions'. I would focus on case studies of so-called 'last mile' problems that are concerned with effective policy design and implementation. For example, in the Kenyan settlement of Kibera, policymakers struggled to understand why residents where not using water purification tablets. Researchers showed the effort of visiting the access point was too great and simply moving it to the water source increased uptake from 10 to 60%. The root of policy failure need not be a lack of intention, but rather a failure to account for behaviour at the finish line; when good intention translates into action. This intention-action gap is particularly prevalent in environmentally-friendly behaviours and so represents an important opportunity.
This research is highly relevant for sustainable development policy, as choices with major environmental implications are often the outcome of a complex set of motivations. Subtle influences from BI are uniquely scalable as they can generate dramatic outcomes with low costs. However, developed countries still predominate in the use of BI to achieve policy goals. Considering the developing world looks set to contribute 3 billion middle class urbanites to the global economy by 2040, applying BI in developing countries is critical for achieving sustainability goals.