Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

🪧 How can we encourage more people to take part in climate action?

Dr Ganga Shreedhar and colleagues explored this question in collaboration with Extinction Rebellion through a large-scale social media experiment.

The team tested different combinations of messaging and imagery to see what prompted people to register interest in local climate talks. The campaign reached more than 350,000 Facebook users across Birmingham, Cardiff and Oxford.

The researchers found that:

✅️ Direct instructions outperform polite requests.
✅️ Images showing the real-world impacts of climate change are more effective than protest or diversity-based imagery.

Dr Shreedhar discusses the study and its implications in the latest issue of LSE's Research for the World online magazine:

How can social media move people from passive concern to collective climate action? LSE research analysing Extinction Rebellion posts shows why direct calls outperform softer messaging.

11/05/2026

🎓️ Interested in joining the Executive MSc Behavioural Science at LSE this September?

Applications are still open, and our next online information session is a great opportunity to find out if the programme is right for you.

Learn more about the curriculum, admissions and student experience.

📅 Thursday 21 May
🕐️ 1-2pm BST
📍 Zoom
✍️ Sign up: https://lse.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J_uyUEW0R86DPQQx_Kp19A
🔗 Learn more: https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/emsc

Taught by world-leading behavioural science experts, our Executive MSc Behavioural Science combines rigorous academic training with practical insights.

27/04/2026

📸 Meet the team behind PBS.

Our faculty, researchers and professional services staff recently came together for a group photo, reflecting the collaborative community that shapes psychological and behavioural science at LSE.

06/04/2026

⏳️ Applications are still open for the September intake of the Executive MSc Behavioural Science at LSE.

Interested in applying but want to find out whether the programme is the right fit for you?

Join the next online information session to learn more about the curriculum, admissions process, and what to expect from the programme.

📅 Monday 27 April
🕐️ 1-2pm BST
📍 Zoom
✍️ Sign up: https://lse.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hp_4XjiiTHqPpCTYeI6V0Q
🔗 Learn more: https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/emsc

Taught by world-leading behavioural science experts, our Executive MSc Behavioural Science combines rigorous academic training with practical insights.

26/03/2026

🌍️ Supporting global talent to create real world impact 💥

The AKO Master’s Scholarships enable students from South Asia, Africa and Latin America to study a one year master’s programme our department.

Generously funded by the AKO Foundation, ten scholarships are available, including two full awards with a maintenance stipend and eight covering full tuition fees. Scholars are selected for their academic potential, financial need, and commitment to contributing to positive societal impact after graduation.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply on our website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/fees-and-funding/AKO-Masters-Scholarships

Meet our scholars: https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/study/msc/ako/scholarships

19/03/2026

👋 Meet Dr Ethan Dias!

We're excited to share that Ethan successfully defended his PhD thesis last week. Ethan's thesis is titled "The Cost of Comparison: A Mixed Methods Approach to Understanding the Impact of Online Social Comparison on Psychological Well-being". It explores how social comparison plays out on social media, supported by several insightful interviews with hard‑to‑reach, high‑profile influencers. The thesis makes a timely contribution to ongoing conversations about social media’s impact on mental health.

Ethan is pictured here with his supervisor, Dr Thomas Curran. His examiners were Professor Jeremy Ginges and Professor Andrew Pringle.

Congratulations Ethan on this fantastic achievement!

10/03/2026

🎉 We have yet another Doctor! Congratulations to Ana Barjasic, who successfully defended her PhD thesis last week.

Ana's thesis, “The Meritocracy Illusion: The Impact of Biases on the Evaluation of Entrepreneurial and Investment Fit,” examines how biases shape the evaluation of entrepreneurs and investment decisions in the startup ecosystem. Drawing on a series of studies with more than 3,500 participants, including a large international sample of active investors, her research provides important behavioural science insights into gender bias in entrepreneurship and venture capital. The thesis also introduces the Innovation Meritocracy Illusion Framework (IMIF), integrating several psychological theories to explain how structural biases can persist even within systems that aim to reward merit.

Ana was supervised by Dr Dario Krpan and Dr Ilka Gleibs. She is pictured here (in the middle) with Dr Krpan, viva chair Professor Martin W Bauer, and examiners Dr Tijana Trako Poljak and Dr Yana Litovsky.

Fun fact: Ana is the first Croatian to receive a PhD from our department! 👏

10/03/2026

📚️ Curious to learn what the Executive MSc Behavioural Science looks like in practice?

Our programme is designed for professionals who want to understand why people and organisations behave as they do and how to use evidence to create meaningful change.

You'll experience rigorous academic teaching alongside practical tools you can apply straight away at work. You'll also learn from leading experts, collaborate with a diverse cohort and build a network that supports your professional development.

If you're considering the 2026 cohort, join our next information session to meet the team and learn more about this innovative programme.

📅 Thursday 19 March
🕐 1–2pm GMT
📍 Zoom
✍️ Sign up: https://lse.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fBlQLaTOSfiK_tgRIvD8QA #/registration
ℹ️ Learn more about the EMSc: https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/emsc

03/02/2026

"The faculty is absolutely world-class."

Executive MSc Behavioural Science alum Kele reflects on how the teaching staff and guest speakers brought the real world applicability of behavioural science to life in the classroom.

To learn more from Kele and fellow alumni Alex and Sarah, please visit https://www.lse.ac.uk/pbs/emsc/alumni