Behavioral Research Lab

History and Mission

The MIT Behavioral Research Lab (BRL) was founded in 2006 with support from the Office of the Provost. In 2016, the BRL became a part of MIT Sloan School of Management and has since then received its funding from MIT Sloan’s Office of the Dean.  The BRL remains an Institute-wide resource serving all MIT-affiliated behavioral researchers.

The mission of the MIT Behavioral Research Lab (BRL) is to facilitate impactful, innovative, cutting-edge behavioral research at MIT. We carry out this mission by providing lab facilities, recruitment services, and general support to behavioral researchers across MIT while enabling individuals inside and outside of MIT to participate in meaningful research studies.

What is Behavioral Research?

Behavioral research can be broadly defined as the study of human and animal behavior in response to internal or external stimuli. This includes our interactions with other individuals, our reactions to changes in the physical environment, and the decisions we make in different situations. While behavioral research is more directly associated with the “behavioral sciences” (which consist of disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and economics), it is frequently conducted in business, computer science, education, and many other fields for the purpose of examining human behavior in real-life contexts.

Our Leadership Team and Advisory Board
 

Leadership Team

Jared R. Curhan

Jared R. Curhan

Behavioral and Policy Sciences

Gordon Kaufman Professor of Management

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Drazen Prelec

Drazen Prelec

Economics|Brain & Cognitive Sciences

Digital Equipment Corp. Leaders for Global Operations Professor of Management

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Leyla Omeragic Buljina

Leyla Omeragic Buljina

Behavioral Research Lab Coordinator

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Advisory Board

Abdullah Almaatouq

Abdullah Almaatouq

Management Science

Douglas Drane Career Development Professor in Information Technology

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Rahul Bhui

Rahul Bhui

Management Science

Class of 1958 Career Development Assistant Professor

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John S. Carroll

John S. Carroll

Behavioral and Policy Sciences

Gordon Kaufman Professor of Management, Emeritus

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Emilio J. Castilla

Emilio J. Castilla

Behavioral and Policy Sciences

NTU Professor of Management

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Jackson G. Lu

Jackson G. Lu

Behavioral and Policy Sciences

Sloan School Career Development Associate Professor of Work and Organization Studies

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Thomas W. Malone

Thomas W. Malone

Behavioral and Policy Sciences

Patrick J. McGovern (1959) Professor of Management

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Hazhir Rahmandad

Hazhir Rahmandad

Management Science

Schussel Family Professor of Management Science

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David G. Rand

David G. Rand

Brain & Cognitive Sciences

Erwin H. Schell Professor

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Basima Tewfik

Basima Tewfik

Behavioral and Policy Sciences

Class of 1943 Career Development Professor

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Y. Karen Zheng

Y. Karen Zheng

Management Science

George M. Bunker Professor

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