Behavioral Economics Research with a Strong Impact

Dr. Yoni Slater, a socio-organizational psychologist and post-doctoral researcher at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and at Bar-Ilan University (as part of an interdisciplinary research group on voluntary compliance led by Prof. Yuval Feldman), serves as a lecturer at the ultra-orthodox campus of BIU.

"I believe there is no field with greater impact on our social environment than social-organizational psychology," says Slater. “This field deals with life itself, which is why its potential impact is so great."

Dr. Slater is a third-generation PhD in psychology . " At the ceremony, I was honored to receive my degree in the presence of my grandfather and mother, who supported and accompanied me the whole way," he says, "My grandfather and mother, who still work as clinical psychologists, greatly influenced me in choosing this field of study. They helped me realize that I wanted to study psychology, but prefer to engage in social-organizational psychology and 'life itself' rather than in psychological disorders and therapy."

Dr. Slater studied in the Fast Track PhD program in Social-Organizational Psychology of the BIU Department of Psychology. "I especially enjoyed the courses and content that create a bridge between the worlds of research and the field," he says.

A few months ago, Dr. Slater faced a complex dilemma. "I was accepted into the "Interface" program, which trains doctoral degree graduates who work as consultants in government ministries and support decision-making and shaping environmental policy in Israel," he says. "I had to decide whether to pursue work in the field, or remain in academia and continue researching as part of a post-doctorate. Finally, I chose a post-doctorate, thanks to the excellent team in the project, and also because I feel my research has the potential for a greater impact and a true change."

Dr. Slater says his studies in socio-organizational psychology have helped him impact several spheres: "During my doctorate, I coordinated the activities of the department's socio-organizational clinic. We implemented research-based processes in developing leadership of hospital nurses, devised behavioral intervention to reduce infections in hospitals, and formulated an intervention to reduce patient no-shows for appointments in clinics and medical centers."

In addition to his research, Dr. Slater serves in the Behavioral Sciences unit of the Israeli Defense Army (IDF) reserves,. "In the IDF, I leverage my training as a psychologist for the screening and evaluation of senior officers, and utilize my research capabilities for validating general IDF screening

and evaluation procedures. I also try to bring added value to ‘Heroes for Life’, where I serve as a board member, in the selection and evaluation procedures of volunteers and personnel management."

Dr. Slater says his studies in socio-organizational psychology have helped him impact several spheres: "During my doctorate, I coordinated the activities of the department's socio-organizational clinic. We implemented research-based processes in developing leadership of hospital nurses, devised behavioral intervention to reduce infections in hospitals, and formulated an intervention to reduce patient no-shows for appointments in clinics and medical centers."

In addition to his research, Dr. Slater serves in the Behavioral Sciences unit of the Israeli Defense Army (IDF) reserves,. "In the IDF, I leverage my training as a psychologist for the screening and evaluation of senior officers, and utilize my research capabilities for validating general IDF screening

and evaluation procedures. I also try to bring added value to ‘Heroes for Life’, where I serve as a board member, in the selection and evaluation procedures of volunteers and personnel management."