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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.


Interview with Melina Palmer
Behavioural Science is a rapidly expanding field and everyday new research is being developed in academia, tested and implemented by...

Merle van den Akker
Sep 7, 20204 min read


Perspectives of Privilege in Research
Not too long ago I wrote an article about behavioural science being too WEIRD. WEIRD referring to countries that are Western, Educated,...

Merle van den Akker
Sep 4, 20204 min read


The Pretend Student
The name of this phenomenon invokes several images: a student who pretends to actually be studying, but rather is focused on their social...

Merle van den Akker
Sep 2, 20205 min read


Interview with Tim Ash
Behavioural Science is a rapidly expanding field and everyday new research is being developed in academia, tested and implemented by...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 31, 20204 min read


Third Year PhD Review
It has become tradition on this blog for me to reflect on each part of the PhD process. As my third year in the PhD comes to an end, and...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 28, 20207 min read


Do You Know Your ABC?
Do you know your ABC’s? I’m sure you can recite the alphabet (I always do so in song-form), but do you know what they mean for...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 26, 20203 min read


Interview with Louise Ward
Behavioural Science is a rapidly expanding field and everyday new research is being developed in academia, tested and implemented by...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 24, 20204 min read


Scared to Leave Academia
Hey everyone! If you’ve been following this blog for a while, or if you’ve ever just checked the general overview, you can see that I’ve...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 21, 20205 min read


How to NOT Use a Credit Card
My topic of expertise is the many (unwarranted) consequences paying with different payment methods can have. Lucky for us, there is a...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 19, 20206 min read
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