Lords to hear from nudge unit as part of investigation into behaviour change
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee is to hold a short follow-up investigation, starting next week, looking at behaviour change.
The Committee will revisit the inquiry it carried out in 2011 into influencing public behaviour which looked at how the Government can change the behaviour of the population, what interventions work and what don't, how they can be evaluated and also at ‘nudge' theory.
Over two evidence sessions on Tuesday 6 May it will question the Managing Director of the Behavioural Insights Team, often known as the ‘Nudge Unit', and will also hear from experts within a particular area of study, transport.
Evidence will be heard at 2.25pm from Dr Owain Service, Managing Director, Behavioural Insights Team.
He will be asked about the take-up of his unit's recommendations across Government, the success of his unit's policies, and the thinking behind the mutualisation of the unit.
At approximately 3.25pm the Committee will hear from:
- Professor David Metz, Visiting Professor, Centre for Transport Studies, University College London;
- Mr Jason Torrance, National Policy Director, Sustrans;
- Ms Deirdre O'Reilly, Head of Social Research & Evaluation (SRE), Department for Transport; and
- Ms Tricia Allen, Head of Sustainable Transport (Programme Implementation), Department for Transport.
They will be asked about people's behaviour in terms of preferred modes of transport, whether Government actions are reducing car use, and whether local authorities are being supported sufficiently to implement behaviour change initiatives.
The evidence sessions will be held on Tuesday 6 May, starting at 2.25pm, in Committee Room 2A of the House of Lords.
