Heather Graci

2 weeks ago | behavioralscientist.org | Heather Graci |Evan Nesterak

Contraceptives are available in Sub-Saharan Africa, but maternal deaths caused by unwanted pregnancies are still rampant. Refugee agencies support those forced to flee their homes, but don’t always know where they’ll go—or what they’ll need when they get there. AI-powered tutors provide crucial support to kids struggling in under-resourced schools, but may not treat their students equally.

Dec 8, 2024 | behavioralscientist.org | Heather Graci

Rafaela Bastos wears many hats, among them public manager, geographer, marketing director, Carnival commentator, and samba dancer. She’s also the head of the first government-based behavioral science unit in Brazil. By the OECD’s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) count, NudgeRio is one of over 200 such teams around the world—and one of around 50 based in local government.

Oct 17, 2024 | behavioralscientist.org | Heather Graci

“The memories are still there. But all the physical things that go with it are just floating,” said Ryan Rector as he waded through the wreckage of Penland & Sons, his third-generation family department store. In the image above, a neighbor rescues a mud-caked family photo album and hands it to Dennis Rector (left), Ryan’s dad. The store sits on Main Street in Marshall, North Carolina, one of many communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Sep 18, 2024 | behavioralscientist.org | Heather Graci

“How do you balance dreams of peace with the complex reality of achieving it,” said conflict researcher Mareike Schomerus, “without giving up on the dream, but without ignoring the reality?” Tensions like these permeate the work of those trying to understand the roots of conflict and pathways to peace. What motivates people to accept those they’ve only ever learned to hate? Why do people join extremist groups, and how do some get out?

Jun 18, 2024 | behavioralscientist.org | Heather Graci

In the last 10 years, the number of people who have been forcibly displaced due to war, conflict, and human rights violations has more than doubled. And as of May 2023, the number of refugees worldwide is the highest ever recorded. Conflict-related civilian deaths are on the rise, and 2021 saw the highest number of homicides in the previous 20 years. Behavioral scientists are among the many working to reverse these trends.