Hi!
I'm Joseph
Sherlock.
Assistant Professor at King’s College London, behavioral scientist in a public policy school with 12 years’ experience running randomized controlled trials. I focus on using behavioral science as a vehicle to innovate in civic society.
CURRENT ENGAGEMENTS
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Assistant Professor (Lecturer)
School for Government
King’s College London
Course Director
Stanford School of Public Policy
Duke University
Behavioural Science Fellow
UN Behavioural Science Group
Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG)
Biography
Behavioral Scientist specializing in democracy and sustainability, with over a decade of experience designing and leading large-scale randomized controlled field experiments in complex, real-world settings. Work spans the USA, the UK, and multiple international contexts, partnering with major government bodies, civic organizations, and multilateral institutions. Holds a PhD in Psychological and Behavioural Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science and currently serves as Assistant Professor at the School for Government, King’s College London. Advises the UN Secretary General’s office and teaches short course for Duke University.
Read more about me:
Politricks
Context: Misinformation threatens democracy and climate action, eroding trust and amplifying polarization.
Problem: Few studies compare active (games) vs. passive (guides) learning in helping citizens discern manipulative content.
Interventions: Researchers developed Politricks, an interactive game, and a passive inoculation guide, each teaching three manipulation tactics: emotional storytelling, conformity, and conspiracy theories.
Outcome: Active and passive tools are comparably effective, scalable strategies to build resilience against misinformation.
Operational Transparency Increases Trust in Elections and Voter Turnout
Case Study: Behavioral Science to Save Democracy
Context: Democracies face declining trust fueled by polarization, misinformation, and hidden election processes.
Problem: Voters often misinterpret how elections work, leading to skepticism and disengagement.
Interventions: Applies behavioral insights to increase operational transparency, redesign ballots for usability, and collaborate with election officials to test communication and procedural reforms.
Outcome: Evidence-based, incremental interventions can make democratic systems more understandable and trustworthy, reducing misinformation’s impact and strengthening citizen confidence in elections.
The Behavioral
Economics Guide 2024
Case Study: Behavioral Science to Save Democracy
Context: Democracies face eroding trust amid polarization, misinformation, and strained election systems.
Problem: Voters misjudge how elections work; hidden processes and cognitive biases amplify distrust.
Interventions: Increase operational transparency, redesign ballots for usability, and partner with election officials to run experiments and scale proven approaches.
Outcome: While no single solution exists, incremental, evidence-based changes can rebuild trust, improve efficiency, and strengthen democratic resilience.
Behavioral Insights
(BI) Study
Case Study: COVID-19 Vaccination in Ghana
Context: Ghana faced vaccine hesitancy despite availability, with uptake shaped by social and cultural factors.
Problem: Traditional drivers like healthcare provider recommendations were unexpectedly less predictive; instead, family and religious leaders strongly influenced vaccination decisions.
Interventions: A two-part study surveyed 1,494 people and tested behaviorally informed message frames (fear, altruism, social norms) delivered via trusted messengers (health authorities, doctors, religious leaders).
Outcome: Tailoring strategies to leverage social trust and context-specific nudges can increase vaccine uptake in Ghana.
“Humans haven’t changed much — but the world around us has. I explore how we innovate to help us adapt.”
Research Focus
Democracy
For democracy to survive, we need to innovate. This requires us to experiment. I study how behavioral science can boost civic trust, improve transparency, and make democratic institutions fit for the current world.
Sustainability
My work applies behavioural insights to encourage sustainable action, helping individuals and institutions close the gap between climate intention and behaviour.
Science of
Behavioural Science
As we enter into our second decade as an applied behavioral science field, it is time we understand more effectively how we do what we do, and what leads to success as an applied behavioral scientist.