Featured Writing
Thoughtful analysis of how psychology shapes financial behaviour, spending habits, and long term decision making, translating academic research into practical insights that help individuals make smarter, more intentional financial choices.
3 May 2026
Merle van den Akker
Interview with Barnabas Szaszi
Barnabas builds large-scale behavior change projects with a strong focus on social impact, aiming to support vulnerable individuals and groups. He leads the Behavioral Science Center at the Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies and the Behavioral Science Lab at Eötvös Loránd University. Among other initiatives, he leads one of the world’s largest happiness research projects, currently running across 70 countries. He holds dual degrees in psychology and economics and earned his Ph.D. in...
19 Apr 2026
Merle van den Akker
Interview with Daniel McGrath
Daniel is Professor of Psychology and the Associate Dean of Research and Scholarships at the University of Calgary, as well as a Senior Research Fellow at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI). His research program is primarily focused on behavioural pharmacology, personality, addictions, and risk-taking behaviour. Another major research area is the role of cognitive biases in disordered gambling. Specifically, he is interested in the influence of attention to visual stimuli captured...
5 Apr 2026
Merle van den Akker
Interview with Shane Timmons
Shane joined the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit (BRU) in 2017 as a postdoctoral research fellow and is currently a Senior Research Officer. His research uses theory and methods from behavioural science to inform policy across a range of domains, including environmental behaviour, financial decision-making, and health. A present focus of his research is on how individuals and systems interact in ways that have implications for climate policy. Shane holds a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from...
22 Mar 2026
Merle van den Akker
Interview with Eliana Polemeni
Eliana is currently a Director in the Behavioral Science Center at Ipsos, where she applies a behavioral science lens to market research. Previously, she was a Principal Researcher in the Behavioral Science Department at the Booth School of Business. She received her PhD in Management and Organizations from the Kellogg School of Management. Her dissertation focused on beliefs about fulfillment at work, and how those beliefs can be miscalibrated. Who or what got you into behavioural science?...
8 Mar 2026
Merle van den Akker
Interview with David Villa
David is a Behavioural Science Leader at BeWay Consulting, where he operates at the intersection of behavioural science, experimentation, and organizational change. His experience has largely focused on the Latin American financial sector. He has collaborated with banks across multiple countries in the region to apply behavioural insights and turn evidence into practical growth marketing strategies that improve user adoption and customer experience. He does so by working closely with...
22 Feb 2026
Merle van den Akker
Interview with Ben Brikman
Ben is a Behavioral Scientist at Vanguard, where he works with a cross-functional team to improve financial outcomes for investors. Previously, he was a member of the interdisciplinary Behavior Change and Design team at Cityblock Health, applying behavioral science methods to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities. Before that, Ben helped launch and support the Behavioral Science Lab at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), an initiative focused on bringing human-centered approaches to...
About Merle Van
Den Akker
I study how people make financial decisions — and how financial systems can be designed to improve them.
I am a behavioural scientist working at the intersection of psychology and finance. My work focuses on how individuals make decisions about spending, investing, and risk — and how institutions can design environments that support better outcomes without undermining autonomy.
I currently serve as a Senior Product Manager at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where I apply behavioural science to consumer banking and investing products. My role sits at the interface of research, product design, experimentation, and large-scale implementation.
Experience
8+
Years of combined academic training in psychology, economics, and behavioural science
Writing & Public Engagement
I bring together psychology, economics and personal finance:
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Academic research
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A large-scale interview series with leading behavioural scientists
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Books synthesising insights from over 250 expert conversations
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Reflections on behavioural design in financial systems
My aim is to bridge academia and practice — and to contribute to a more rigorous, ethically grounded field of behavioural finance.
Evidence-based reasoning
Clear, accessible language
Real-world relevance
Respect for academic nuance
Writing
600+
Published articles translating behavioural science and finance research for a general audience
Recommended Reads
Explore my authored works, featuring current and upcoming books that translate behavioural science insights into clear, accessible knowledge for everyday life.
The Future of Behavioural Science – According to 250+ Experts (Forthcoming)
A deep exploration of behavioural science through conversations with 250+ experts.
This book draws on extensive interviews with leading figures in behavioural science — from academics and policymakers to industry practitioners. It examines how the field has evolved, where it is headed, and what it means for real-world decision-making.
Research Handbook on Personal Finance
This Research Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to personal finance, providing a historical overview of the field and highlighting the importance of financial wellbeing. Expert authors bring an international perspective to modern financial issues including proactive decision-making, financial socialization and trust, presenting a fresh take on this expanding landscape.
Academic Research
My academic work examines behavioural interventions in financial decision-making, with a focus on methodological transparency and real-world application.
Do People Like Financial Nudges?
Van Den Akker, M., & Sunstein, C. R. (2025). Do people like financial nudges?. Judgment and Decision Making, 20, e2.
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