Consultancy
I undertake behavioural-science projects for organisations that need to understand what people think, choose or do—and what might change it. This can involve desk research or expert input to project design or implementation through to running major empirical research projects using online panels or individual interviews.
I can offer speed, flexibility and low overheads for small-scale projects that may be exploring a new area or testing feasibility, planning behavioural interventions or attempting to anticipate future roadblocks, along with twenty years’ experience of delivering insights to a range of clients and the reassurance of a strong research background and disciplinary expertise.
For projects with obvious social benefits run by non-commercial organisations I’m happy to contribute informally free of charge where time allows.
Selected work
Commissioned research into public attitudes and customer choices around transport, ticketing and payment, including the barriers to returning to public transport after the pandemic.
Other projects have included work with HMRC and organisations in financial services and FMCG. Some client work is necessarily confidential, but the approach is consistent: careful research, proportionate claims and useful conclusions.
Speaking & training
I give keynotes and engaging talks and host participative workshops for specialist and general audiences. The emphasis is on summarising and applying behavioural research to specific areas, and equipping attendees with the skills and confidence to apply their newfound knowledge to their own work or practice.
I can deliver sessions in person or online, and can customise sessions to a wide variety of audience sizes and backgrounds. I’ve done everything from small-group activities around tables in a pub as part of a team awayday to an online keynote for 500 people from across the world.
Selected engagements
I ran a popular three-hour session as part of The Guardian’s masterclass series, in which attendees learned about how the mind makes sense of money, the heuristics, biases and individual differences that affect financial decision making, and practical guidance for making better decisions. Over the years that it ran it was delivered both in person at Guardian HQ in King’s Place and online to a global audience, and frequently sold out.
“Dr Stian Reimers was an absolutely phenomenal course leader. I was engaged from beginning to end.”
A bespoke session on financial psychology for people who informally guide others with financial decisions—from life coaches to food bank volunteers. The session covered the basics of financial behaviour, with a particular non-judgemental focus on how people differ in their relationships with money. It also gave practical insights into how to give guidance, drawing on motivational interviewing and trauma-informed practice.
“Stian was brilliant, so much to take away from the session. Really has made me think about the way we approach our clients.”
A keynote to 350 delegates from the fintech sector invited to Finance@Google at Google HQ in Dublin, talking about understanding customers in a changing world.
“Both the clients and Googlers attending the event found your content to be exciting and thought-provoking.”
For talks on AI, digital education and digital change, see Digital/AI.
Media & advisory
I provide independent behavioural-science commentary for reports, research programmes and public-facing work. This is often most useful when a finding needs context: what could explain it, how confident we should be, and what it might mean in practice.
I take part in expert interviews in which I give insights into a particular area of client-relevant behavioural science. I also comment on draft reports to situate findings in the broader academic literature, providing non-endorsing quotes that can be used in final publications.
Selected contributions
Commentary on payment friction, the cognitive load of paying and customer loyalty.
A psychological perspective on cognitive bias, objectivity and professional scepticism in audit.
Expert input into research on how customers engage with and retain communications from energy suppliers.
Governance
I am increasingly interested and equipped to take on governance roles, particularly where social purpose, education and organisational decision-making meet.
I am a trustee and passionate advocate for Quaker Social Action and interested in other trustee and non-executive director roles, particularly in areas that draw on my experience in financial capability and decision making or digital expertise.
Governance and public-interest roles
Board-level governance for a charity working with people on low incomes, bringing a research, education and organisational perspective.
Contributing an academic perspective to institutional strategy and leadership. Related university roles are covered on the Academic page.
An expert contributor to the Foundation’s work on fairness in public life.