Since the creation of the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) in 2003, the institute has been adding new affiliates to its group of social science experts. Its most recent addition, the Behavioral Science & Policy Center (BSPC), was established in 2012 to foster the creation and dissemination of behavioral science research that can help inform those involved in public and private sector policy-making and implementation.  BSPC will serve as the headquarters of the Behavioral Science and Policy Association (BSPA), a public benefit corporation.
   
Sim Sitkin, BSPC Co-Director and Professor of Management at the Fuqua School of Business, said it's an important time to provide an avenue for social science research to help better inform “the policies, decisions and implementation of public and private sector organizations.”

“We know a lot about how people and social systems function and it is a terrible waste to have decisions made in a vacuum when relevant information could be made available,” Sitkin said. “We hope to help fill what is currently a gap.”

Joint affiliated with SSRI and the Behavioral Science and Policy Association (BSPA), BSPC has the attention of both the social science and policy communities.

Coordinating the publication of a new journal, Behavioral Science and Policy (BSP), published by Brookings Press and in collaboration with Brookings Institution, will be the major activity for the center. BSP will include short articles advancing public and private policy proposals and recommendations from leading behavioral scientists. All articles are designed to be both scientifically rigorous and accessible to a general audience. 

BSPC will also assist BSPA in hosting policy-related workshops and briefings and offering other scholarly activities that promote application of behavioral science research by public and private sector policy makers.

“A key goal at Duke and SSRI is to make a difference by linking the cutting-edge research to the major issues and social problems of the day,” S. Philip Morgan, SSRI Director said. “Sim’s initiative promises to make important contributions toward this goal and we look forward to supporting BSPC.”