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Behavioural Insights
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.
Things I Would Have Done Differently in My PhD
A while back I wrote an article about how I would have done things differently moving into the field of behavioural science. Overall, I...
Merle van den Akker
Jan 13, 20225 min read
Things I Would Have Done Differently Going into Behavioural Science
With the new year coming up, is there really a better time for some self-reflection? Of course not! Leading question aside, I thought I’d...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 30, 20216 min read
Surviving the VIVA
Throughout my annual PhD reviews I have kept you up to date on my progress as a behavioural PhD student. I had good years, I had bad...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 2, 20216 min read
The Work Isn't Over Once You Submit Your PhD!
Ignorance isn't bliss with this one. You’ve submitted your thesis. The PhD thesis, that is. Congratulations! You must feel very...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 11, 20215 min read
Fourth (Final!) Year PhD Review
As always, when a year in the PhD comes to an end, my review of said year emerges. It has become tradition on this blog for me to reflect...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 30, 202112 min read
Pre-Docs: Academia, Are You OK?!
Academia is forever innovative. And I don’t mean that in a “driving excellent research” kind of way, although that also happens. No, I...
Merle van den Akker
Aug 26, 20217 min read
The Importance of a Mentor
When entering a PhD, or realistically, entering any type of job or career trajectory, it is difficult to establish at once what you...
Merle van den Akker
Aug 19, 20215 min read
The PhD Scam: Down We Go!
I have said it once and I will say it again: don’t do a PhD if you can try and avoid it! Now this may sound slightly ironic coming from...
Merle van den Akker
Jul 15, 20216 min read
The PhD Blues
I have just started to write the first part of my fourth year PhD review, as I like to reflect on each term as it has just ended. It...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 31, 20206 min read
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