Information preferences – how it affects individuals’ decisions during election campaigns, saving and investment decisions, purchasing decisions and donations choices

The research project aims to investigate people’s preferences regarding the information they receive across various decision-making contexts. The research question will be applied to diverse decision contexts, including electoral preferences, financial planning, consumer behaviour, and charitable giving.

Understanding how individuals process and prioritise information is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of individual decision-making processes and the interplay of factors shaping preferences and choices in different domains. The research methodology will involve a combination of online surveys, laboratory experiments conducted at the university, and field experiments.

By leveraging methodologies and frameworks from behavioural and experimental economics, the project will analyse the behavioural patterns that characterize the information selection processes. It will also explore differences in preferences among distinct demographic groups, such as age, gender, nationality, and educational background. Understanding these variations will provide further insights on individuals’ decision-making processes and the factors influencing preferences.

Ultimately, the project aims to inform and test the development of more effective communication strategies, targeted interventions, and inclusive policies across different contexts and demographic groups.

Entry qualifications

Entrants must have a master’s degree in economics (desirable Master in Behavioural Economics).

Fees and funding

This is a self-funded PhD project for UK applicants.