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Manny Roman

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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Richard Thaler

Apply Now: Thaler-Tversky Independent Research Grant

Are you a UChicago PhD student or post-doctoral researcher conducting behavioral science research? Apply by April 1 for this $3,000 independent research grant. Learn more and start your application. 

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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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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 will now be named the Roman Family Center for Decision Research. 

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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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Research assistants pose in birthday party hats

Recap: Mindworks First Anniversary Celebration

Mindworks celebrated its first birthday July 22-24 with a full weekend of festivities including prize giveaways, live music, guided tours, and much more! Read the recap and see photos from the event. 

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Nudge for Good: Richard Thaler in Conversation with Greta Johnsen

Nudge for Good: Richard Thaler in conversation with Greta Johnsen

On Tuesday, June 7, Mindworks and WBEZ hosted a special conversation with Richard Thaler & Nerdette host Greta Johnsen. The recording of the event is now available. 

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Mindmeld: a Mindworks Takeover - Saturday, June 4, 10am-4pm - Free

Mindmeld: A Mindworks Takeover with WBEZ

On Saturday June 4, WBEZ was on site at Mindworks for a fun and fascinating day of scientific studies and prize giveaways.

Leadership alliance logo

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

This summer, the Roman Family Center for Decision Research will welcome three 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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Michele Gelfand

Video: Think Better with Michele Gelfand

The Think Better Speaker Series returned Monday, April 18 with Stanford's Michele Gelfand, who presented "Tight and Loose Cultures: Unlocking the Hidden Code of Social Norms." The event recording is now available. 

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Prof. Ayelet Fisbach

New Tiny Course Explores the Science of Motivation

What’s the best way to set goals, manage multiple goals, and exercise self-control? Professor Ayelet Fishbach shares her insights in this new Tiny Course. With a series of short videos and quick quizzes, you can start to master the science of motivation in less than an hour.

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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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