Ep. 26, Todd Rogers on behavioral science, absenteeism in schools, and voting

On today's episode of Catalysts for Change, we talk to Todd Rogers. A behavioral scientist and professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. He has dedicated his career to studying the gap between intention and action, helping families effectively support student success, and improving democracy.

Our conversation with professor Rogers explores the ins and outs of behavioral science, cost-effective strategies to reduce absenteeism in schools, and the power of persuasion in voting. Behavioral science explains the drivers of behavior, and professor Rogers’ work analyzes how we use what we learn from those drivers to help people follow through on their virtuous intentions. 

As referenced in professor Rogers’ Reducing Student Absences at Scale by Targeting Parents’ Misbeliefs paper, 10% of U.S. public school students are chronically absent each year. In a large-scale randomized experiment to reduce absenteeism, professor Rogers tested repeated rounds of mail-based messaging targeting parents of at-risk students. This experiment reduced total absences by 6% and chronically absent students by 10%. Professor Rogers’ Harvard EdCast: Reducing Absences, Capturing Days, highlights that motivating and empowering parents with useful information plays a significant role in student success. 

Professor Rogers is a leader in improving democracy. His work focuses on translating insights into voter mobilization. A Pew Research Center analysis showed that millennials continue to have the lowest voter turnout of any age group, where approximately 46% voted in the last presidential election. Through research, he’s discovered that peer pressure can be a motivational tool and yield a better voter turnout. 

Professor Rogers reminds us all that being silent is complicit, and creating plans to shift from intention to action is so important. We appreciate his forward-thinking work around why family engagement to improve student attendance, and exercising your right to vote is essential. As mentioned in our conversation, learn more about professor Rogers' company, InClass Today, now, EveryDay Labs, his paper, Poison Parasite, and New York Times bestseller, Nudge.

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