PhD Program - Behavioural Research

The objective of the doctoral program in Behavioral Economics and Experimental Research (BEER) is to establish doctoral-level courses in the fields of economics and psychology that share a common approach in experimental research. The program takes advantage of researchers in these areas at universities that are affiliated with CUSO and establishes a new hub embracing economics, psychology and neuroscience. This introduces a strong interdisciplinary focus in the education of doctoral students. The program is open to doctoral students in the areas of economics, management, psychology and neuroscience. Courses are offered in two broad fields:

Lectures that treat important issues shedding light on behaviors across a multitude of applications: social preferences, inter-temporal preferences, risk preferences and the stability of preferences. Each of these concepts hold important implications for the analysis of behavior in areas such as the internal organization of companies, product marketing or the functioning of markets. Theories will be presented in a way that is accessible to participants from any discipline. In order to study the theory, it will be discussed in light of various applications in the fields of economics, management and psychology. These applications will allow students to both permeate international cutting-edge research and develop skills useful to the private and public sectors. Although the focus of this course will be on theory, a part of the syllabus will be dedicated to the interpretation of empirical results and their meaning in light of the various theories.

Lectures in experimental methods that treat different topics: experiment design and implications for data analysis, "field experiments", experiments in neuroeconomics and neuropsychology, analysis of experimental data. An experiment’s design is intrinsically linked to testing a particular theory. A part of the syllabus will be dedicated to studying particular applications that illustrate the principles behind efficient design and data analysis. These lectures will also help develop skills in "evidence-based management", a new field of research that is gaining momentum in the professional world.

The program will also be a springboard for the development of contacts between doctoral students, but also between doctoral students and professors that share common research interests. These courses will contribute to a high quality new generation of academics as well as the education of professionals in both the private and the public sector. The program will encourage its participants to acquire and strengthen their transferable skills, through the courses offered by CUSO.