This course is part of the Behavioural Science for Organisational Performance ExpertTrack
Behavioural Science at Work: Applying Behavioural Insights to Boost Business Performance
Learn how to use behavioural science to improve performance, shape workplace behaviour, and drive innovation at all levels.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hoursIncluded in an ExpertTrack
Course 2 of 3
Behavioural Science at Work: Applying Behavioural Insights to Boost Business Performance
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Drive workplace performance and innovation with the power of psychology
Why do people resist change, ignore policies, or struggle to collaborate—even with the best intentions?.
Behavioural science helps you unpack these everyday challenges, offering practical, evidence-based strategies to shift mindsets and shape workplace culture.
Join this online course from Durham University to explore the core frameworks of behavioural science and learn how to apply them to real-world organisational challenges.
Transform your workplace with behavioural science
From reducing bias in decision-making to increasing employee motivation, behavioural insights can help shape workplace culture and systems.
You’ll explore core principles like choice architecture, habit loops, and environmental triggers, all backed by psychological theory on this course.
Learn how small changes can create big impact
Next, you’ll learn how to create conditions for creativity and innovation by applying behavioural science to leadership, team culture, and processes.
With case studies and real-world examples to support your learning, you’ll grasp the different ways that subtle nudges can lead to significant improvements in performance.
Apply behavioural insights to real-world scenarios
Throughout the course, you’ll practise using behavioural science frameworks at work. Whether you’re leading change, shaping strategy, or designing workplace policies, you’ll leave with a toolkit to put human psychology into action.
What topics will you cover?
- Learn how to use choice architecture and psychological insights to influence employee behaviour
- Guidance and best practices for fostering an innovation mindset within teams
- An exploration of the theory and cognitive processes that underlie behaviour
- Exploring real-world case studies of organisations who have effectively used behavioural insights to drive performance
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
Download a PDF
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify and explain core behavioural science principles such as cognitive bias, choice architecture, and social norms, and explain how these influence decision-making and behaviour in the workplace.
- Develop skills to diagnose behavioural challenges in organisations and identify barriers to effective performance, collaboration, and innovation within teams or systems.
- Apply behavioural science frameworks (e.g. EAST, COM-B) to craft practical, evidence-based interventions that can improve outcomes in areas such as employee engagement, productivity, and communication.
- Evaluate the impact of behavioural interventions to assess the effectiveness of behavioural solutions using appropriate metrics and reflect on the ethical implications of nudging and behavioural design in organisational settings.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for business, government, or non-profit professionals looking to apply behavioural insights at work. No psychology background needed, but some professional experience is recommended to maximise your learning.
Who will you learn with?
Dr Marcinko is a Consultant and Associate Professor of Behavioural Science at Durham University, with expertise in diversity & inclusion, organisational authenticity, team performance, and leadership.
Who developed the course?
Durham University
Durham University is a collegiate university with long traditions and modern values, proud to be an international scholarly community which reflects the ambitions of cultures from around the world.
Start learning today - free 2-day trial
After your free trial you can:
- Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
- Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
- Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
- Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
- Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
- Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
- Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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