[CogSci] PhD position that combines behavioral economics & cultural evolution (Royal Holloway, University of London)

[Lev-Ari, Shiri]

We are inviting PhD applications via The South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) for September 2025 entry.

Project: The influence of psychological biases on technological progress

Supervisors: Dr. Shiri Lev-Ari (primary) and Prof. Ryan McKay (secondary)

Modern society is characterized by constant development. Technological progress is not only abundant but essential, as many fields and policies rely on further technological development to succeed (e.g., autonomous cars, renewable energy). The rate of technological advancement, however, varies dramatically across societies and time. It is therefore crucial to understand the conditions that promote or hinder this progress. Cumulative Cultural Evolution (CCE) - the process whereby individuals build on past innovations to create new technologies that are beyond the capability of a single individual - provides a foundational framework for studying technological advancement. However, CCE often overlooks valuable insights from behavioral economics regarding how individuals make investment decisions. This project will integrate CCE paradigms with insights from behavioral economics to test which conditions facilitate technological advancement. It will particularly focus on the sunk cost effect, the undue influence of past investments on future investment decisions, as a mechanism that both facilitates and hinders technological progress.

For more information about SEDarc studentships:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/psychology/studying-here/research-degrees/sedarc/

If interested or for more information, please contact the primary supervisor (shiri.lev-ari AT rhul.ac.uk).

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Shiri Lev-Ari
Reader, Psychology Department
Royal Holloway, University of London
website: https://langsocnet.psychologyresearch.co.uk/


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