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ECON42570

Academic Year 2025/2026

Behavioural E'mics:Policy App (ECON42570)

Subject:
Economics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Economics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Orla Doyle
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides an overview of the application of behavioural economics in public policy and private organizations. The module reviews core concepts in behavioural economics with particular relevance to public policy. We examine a range of case studies in the application of behavioural economics in key areas such as health, regulation, the labour market, as well as the environment. We examine the key ethical aspects of policies based on behavioural evidence and provide detailed instruction on the key areas of thought on the debate about the deployment of different types of influence techniques in public policy.

Assessment for the module is based on a group project and final exam. For the group project, you will be randomised into pairs to write a report that would guide behaviourally-informed policy in your key area of interest, and present it at an in-class
seminar.

The module is delivered by a combination of lecturers including Orla Doyle (UCD), Marta Televi (UCD), Liam Delaney (LSE), Lucie Martin (ESRI) and Pete Lunn ESRI).

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, students will attain the following learning outcomes:

- Knowledge of key case studies and policy applications of behavioural economics across key domains.

- Knowledge of key debates on the merits and demerits of different approaches to behaviourally informed policy.

- The skills required to design a behavioural policy intervention.



Indicative Module Content:

Week Lecturer Topic
Week 1 Pete Lunn - Introduction to Behavioural Public Policy & Methods
Week 2 Lucie Martin - Behavioural Public Policy in Practice
Week 3 Marta Talevi - Behavioural Public Policy & Sustainable Energy Systems
Week 4 Lucie Martin - Behavioural Public Policy & Collective Action Problems
Week 5 Marta Talevi - Behavioural Public Policy & International Development
Week 6 Pete Lunn - Behavioural Public Policy & the Environment
Week 7 Pete Lunn - Behavioural Public Policy & Regulation
Week 8 Lucie Martin - Behavioural Public Policy & Sludge
Week 9 Orla Doyle - Behavioural Public Policy & the Labour Market
Week 10 Orla Doyle - Behavioural Public Policy & Health
Week 11 Liam Delaney - Behavioural Public Policy & Ethics
Week 12 Orla/Marta - Student presentations

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be delivered in the form of interactive lectures given by multiple lecturers providing students with overviews of key policy literatures.

The use of AI is only permitted in this module to improve the quality of your writing in terms of grammer, spelling, flow etc.

Plagiarism risk is high when using AI, and it is not acceptable to submit AI-generated content as it is. If you use AI to content for your group project, this is considered academic misconduct. If you copy and paste entire AI-generated answers, it will be considered plagiarism. Even AI co-created work is considered collusion if you present it all as your own. Note, AI-generated lists of publications and other sources are predictions only; they may not truly exist, therefore you should check all sources of information provided for accuracy. Please note that if academic misconduct is suspected, you may be asked to discuss or explain components of your assignment to determine the authenticity of the work”. Please refer to the UCD Student Academic Misconduct Procedure.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): There are 6 questions on the exam paper and you will be required to answer 3 questions of your choice. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Group Work Assignment: Working in groups of 2 you will produce a 5000-word document that would guide behaviourally-informed policy in your key area of interest and present it in a class seminar. Week 11, Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive detailed group feedback on their project and exam preparation.

The reading list can be found in the module curriculum document on Brightspace

Name Role
Dr Vessela Daskalova Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Orla Doyle Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Marta Talevi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
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