About Me
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.
Academic Background
I hold a PhD in behavioural science, specialising in consumer decision-making and financial behaviour.
My research examines:
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Investor psychology and long-term decision-making
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The impact of payment methods on spending and recall
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Nudges in financial contexts
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Ethical and autonomy considerations in behavioural interventions
My work combines experimental design with real-world application, with a strong emphasis on transparency and methodological rigour.
PhD – Business & Management (Behavioural Science Specialisation)
Warwick Business School
Master’s Degree – MA Social Science Research
University of Warwick
Master’s Degree – MSc Behavioural and Economic Science
University of Warwick
Bachelor’s Degree – Liberal Arts & Science
University College Maastricht, University of Maastricht
Merle's Story
Behavioural scientist exploring how psychology and economics shape financial decisions, translating academic research into insights that extend beyond the university walls.
I am Merle van den Akker, originally from a small village in Limburg in the Netherlands. From an early age, I developed a strong interest in Psychology, Behavioural Science, and Economics. That curiosity shaped the direction of my academic path.
I studied Psychology and Economics at University College Maastricht, completing my undergraduate education in the Netherlands before moving to the United Kingdom. At the University of Warwick, I completed an MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science, followed by an MA in Social Science Research. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Business and Management, specialising in Behavioural Science, at Warwick Business School.
My research focuses on how different payment methods influence personal finance management. I examine how often and how much we spend, whether we are more likely to save, and when we are more likely to fall into debt. I am particularly interested in the intersection of behavioural science and personal finance, where academic insight connects directly to everyday financial decisions.
There is more to me than research and education. When I have time away from work, you might find me at a festival. In daily life I enjoy running and reading extensively. I take pride in having read everything by Agatha Christie. Nothing quite compares to a well written, cosy whodunnit.
The Story
Bringing behavioural science and personal finance research beyond academia and into everyday understanding.
The Idea
Money on the Mind was an idea long before it became a reality. It began as a quiet intention to share knowledge more openly and accessibly.
The Academic Bubble
Academia can sometimes function as a bubble where discoveries stay within institutions. Life outside that bubble looks very different, and valuable insights often fail to reach it.
Releasing Knowledge
Research in behavioural science and personal finance should not remain hidden in inaccessible journals. It deserves to exist in the open, where it can inform real lives.
Translating Complexity
This platform takes academic findings and explains them in clear, straightforward language. Complex terminology and technical theories are broken down into understandable insights.
Exploring New Research
Money on the Mind examines the latest developments in behavioural science, psychology, economics, and consumer finance, highlighting what they mean in practice.
Practical Application
Beyond explanation, the goal is application. The blog shows how scientific insights can be incorporated into everyday financial decisions to improve real outcomes.