Jan 12Leveraging Complexity Science to understand Human BehaviourPart 5 | Rethinking Problem Solving using Complex Systems Solutioning Approach By: Alok Gangaramany and Anushka Ashok In the Complexity Series, we have articulated a number of issues related to linear problem solving approaches, frameworks and methodologies. In this final post of the series, we will focus on principles and processes that could be used by programs and projects that allow…8 min read
Dec 21, 2021Leveraging Complexity Science to understand Human BehaviorPart 4 | Nudge Bias: Problem with centralized interventionist approach By: Alok Gangaramany and Anushka Ashok In a recent article, Cass Sunstein points to the distributional effects of nudging. The article suggests that while some nudges may have an overall positive outcome they may end up hurting a sub-group. It goes on to point the need to predict the consequences…Complexity7 min read
Nov 25, 2021Leveraging Complexity Science to understand Human BehaviorPart 3 | Illusion of Causality: Problem with a simplistic focus on Why By: Alok Gangaramany and Anushka Ashok Recently, a colleague suggested watching the famous video “How Wolves Change Rivers”. A fantastic tale about the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National park that transformed the ecosystem of the park along with altering the flow of rivers. Cascade and non-linear effects are common…Complexity6 min read
Nov 10, 2021Leveraging Complexity Science to understand Human BehaviorPart 2 | Problem with Beginning with the end in mind where the end emerges in unpredictable ways By: Alok Gangaramany and Anushka Ashok Few years ago, we started an engagement focused on promoting HIV prevention services and products amongst at-risk Adolescent Girls & Young Women (AGYW). This a very complex problem that is impacted by a host of societal and other structural factors as well as experiences…Complexity6 min read
Oct 25, 2021Leveraging Complexity Science to understand Human BehaviorPart 1 | Sudden or discontinuous behavior change By: Alok Gangaramany and Anushka Ashok The 2021 Nobel prize for Physics has put the spotlight on Complexity Science as a key area of study for the future. With more than a decade of experience of working on wicked problems in the social sector, we have found the lens of…Complexity5 min read
Oct 4, 2021Behavioral Science in Public Policy: Understanding policymaker’s behaviors in policy developmentPolicymaking consists of complex human behaviors, including those exhibited by policy makers themselves, which can have a major impact on how a policy shapes up and how well it is implemented. Drawing insights from our work in Zambia to understand behavioral elements of decision-making involved in the formulation and execution…Organisation Development6 min read
Sep 3, 2021“Vaccine for lollapalooza!!” Are monetary incentive programs the answer to low vaccine uptake?By: Nishan Gantayat and Saransh Sharma Thomas Schelling while working as a young staffer in the Executive Office of President Truman, in one of his interviews recalls that “People worked long hours,” “and felt compensated by the sense of accomplishment, and … personal importance.” There was a culture of working…Vaccine Hesitancy9 min read
Aug 20, 2021Behavioural segmentation of hesitancy to assist India’s vaccination programBy: Namiya Jain, and Nishan Gantayat The COVID-19 pandemic is anything but over. Drawing lessons from the experiences of other countries, it is essential to design a robust & adaptive vaccination program. In this article, we use our learnings and experiences from our field research in India to present our…Vaccination8 min read
Jul 7, 2021How to measure behaviour change?Human behaviour exists in a system and individuals make decisions based on their environment. Within this complex environment we try to distil a limited number of forces that would have maximum impact on a certain type of decision — almost like a recipe for behaviour. While oversimplified frameworks do serve…Behavioral Science6 min read
Jun 14, 2021We Need to Talk about Vaccine Hesitancy, Now!By: Ram Prasad, Saransh Sharma, Anushka Ashok and Nishan Gantayat The idea of focusing on vaccine hesitancy, in the context of huge unmet demand and shortage in supply of COVID vaccines, might seem counter intuitive. Leading epidemiologists note that wherever we think we are in a pandemic, we are two…Vaccine Hesitancy4 min read
