Roman Family Center for Decision Research - Roman Family Center | Chicago Booth
Professor Nicholas Epley speaking and holding a remote

Roman Family Center for Decision Research

Positioned at the forefront of behavioral science, the Roman Family Center for Decision Research is devoted to the study of how individuals form judgments and make decisions. Researchers at the center examine the processes by which intuition, reasoning, and social interaction produce beliefs, judgments, and choices. Understanding how and why people make decisions has important applications in a range of contexts, including management, marketing, finance, and public policy.

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Science Friday Live - Chicago Studebaker Theater, October 29

Mindworks & WBEZ Present: Science Friday Live in Chicago

On October 29, join NPR's Science Friday and host Ira Flatow as they uncover the amazing behavioral science news and stories happening in Chicago! Enjoy a special live performance of Science Friday, one of NPR's most popular shows, in an episode all about the science of social connection.

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Emmanuel Roman

Gift from PIMCO CEO Manny Roman to the Center for Decision Research

Booth alumnus and university trustee Emmanuel "Manny" Roman, '87, has made a significant investment to support the Center for Decision Research. In recognition of Roman's generosity, the center was renamed the Roman Family Center for Decision Research. 

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Steven Pinker

VIDEO: Think Better with Steven Pinker & Richard Thaler

On May 24, 2023, Harvard's Steven Pinker sat down with Nobel laureate Richard Thaler for a fascinating conversation on rationality, AI, overcoming collective action problems, and more. The video recording is now available. 

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Quinn Hirschi

Announcing the 2023 Thaler-Tversky Independent Research Grant Winner

Principal researcher Quinn Hirschi is the recipient of this year's Thaler-Tversky Independent Research Grant. Learn more about Quinn and her proposed project exploring the misconception that one should talk less in a conversation to appear likable.

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TWO EMERGING SCHOLARS JOIN THE Roman Family Center FOR THE LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE SUMMER PROGRAM

This summer, the Roman Family Center for Decision Research will welcome two outstanding rising scholars as part of the Leadership Alliance’s Summer Research Early Identification Program. Get to know this year's participants, their mentors, and what excites them about the program.

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Neela Saldanha presenting at a podium

Video: Think Better with Neela Saldanha

On Wednesday, February 1, Yale's Neela Saldanha presented "Making Real Change: Applying behavioral science to applied behavioral science." The video and recap are now available. 

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Mindworks visitors are greeted by a research assistant

2022 Annual Report

The Roman Family Center's second annual report highlights Mindworks' first year in operation, key publications by faculty researchers, media coverage, events, and more.

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Erika Kirgios, Kristin Donnelly, Stephanie Smith

Roman Family Center WELCOMES NEW FACULTY, PRINCIPAL RESEARCHERS, AND PHD STUDENTS

The Roman Family Center is pleased to welcome Drs. Erika Kirgios, Kristin Donnelly, and Stephanie Smith to Booth's faculty, as well as several new postdoctoral principal researchers and PhD students. Get to know the new members of the Roman Family Center.

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Laurie Santos

Video: Think Better with Laurie Santos

On October 26, Dr. Laurie Santos (Yale) presented her Think Better talk, "What Behavioral Science Can Teach Us About Happiness." A recording of the event is now available to watch online.  

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Fox 32 interviewing Jasmine Kwong on camera at Mindworks

Mindworks Featured on WGN Morning News & Good Day Chicago

Mindworks recently appeared on WGN Morning News' Around Town and Fox32's Good Day Chicago. The hosts broadcast live from Mindworks, exploring the interactive exhibits and opportunities to participate in new behavioral science experiments. 

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Chicago Booth, Center for Decision Research | PIMCO Decision Research Laboratories

A Partnership to Guide Wiser Decision-Making

In the fall of 2018, PIMCO and the Roman Family Center announced a partnership in support of the center's behavioral science research. In recognition of this investment in research, the center's laboratories were renamed the PIMCO Decision Research Laboratories.

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