Leonhard Lades is a Professor of Behavioural and Environmental Economics at the Stirling Management School, the Director of the Stirling Behavioural Science Centre, and the Treasurer of the International Association for Research in Economic Psychology (IAREP).
Before (re-)joining the University of Stirling in 2024, he led the Behavioural Science & Policy Group at the UCD Geary Institute and was an Assistant Professor in Environmental Policy at UCD. He also was an EPA Senior Research Fellow in Behavioural Economics at EnvEcon and a Lecturer (with tenure) in Economics and an Early Career Fellow in Behavioural Science at the University of Stirling. He received his PhD in Economics from the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena where he was a member of the Evolutionary Economics Group at the Max Planck Institute of Economics.
Leo's research lies at the intersection of behavioural science and environmental policy. His areas of expertise are behavioural public policy, behavioural economics, and economic psychology. He is interested in fostering ethical applications of behavioural insights and has co-developed and applied the nudge FORGOOD ethics framework. He is working on the identification and the removal of behavioural "sludge" particularly when it prevents us from reaching environmental targets. He is interested in how phenomena identified in behavioural economics, such as present bias and context-dependent preferences, can influence environmentally-relevant investments as well as survey responses in stated preference studies. Finally, he explores everyday experiences and behaviours using the day reconstruction method to measure how people feel and behave in their everyday lives in contexts such as the Covid-19 lockdown, media consumption, food consumption, transport, and pro-environmental behaviour.
He previously received third-party funding for the BRIGHT project ("Behavioural Research to Inform Greener Home Transformations" from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the ABICAP project ("Assessing Administrative Burdens in Ireland's Climate Action Plan") from the Irish EPA, the networking grant "Establishing the UK/Irish Behavioural Science Network" with University College Dublin and Stirling University from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the "Enabling Transition Behavioural Economics Fellowship" also from the Irish EPA.
Acceptability of environmental policies - lessons from Scotland and Lower Saxony
PI: Professor Leonhard Lades
Funded by: The Royal Society of Edinburgh
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Article
The effects of emotions on stated preferences for environmental change: A re-examination
Xu Y, Czajkowski M, Hanley N, Lades L, Noussair CN & Tucker S (2025) The effects of emotions on stated preferences for environmental change: A re-examination. Ecological Economics, 238, Art. No.: 108720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108720
Policy Document
Administrative frictions in Ireland’s Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme
Lentz P, Augustenborg C & Lades L (2025) Administrative frictions in Ireland’s Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme. Irish EPA. https://publicpolicy.ie/environment/administrative-frictions-in-irelands-shared-island-sports-club-ev-charging-scheme/
Policy Document
Improving engagement with Ireland’s solar schools scheme by reducing administrative frictions
Lentz P, Augustenborg C, Lades L & Martin L (2025) Improving engagement with Ireland’s solar schools scheme by reducing administrative frictions. EPA Ireland. https://publicpolicy.ie/environment/improving-engagement-with-irelands-solar-schools-scheme-by-reducing-administrative-frictions/
Article
Lades LK, Zawojska E, Johnston RJ, Hanley N, Delaney L & Czajkowski M (2025) Anomalies or Expected Behaviors? Understanding Stated Preferences and Welfare Implications in Light of Contemporary Behavioral Economics. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 19 (1), pp. 48-68. https://doi.org/10.1086/732191
Policy Document
Reducing administrative frictions in Ireland’s afforestation scheme
Lentz P, Augusternborg C & Lades L (2024) Reducing administrative frictions in Ireland’s afforestation scheme. Irish Environmental Protection Agency. https://publicpolicy.ie/environment/reducing-administrative-frictions-in-irelands-afforestation-scheme/
Policy Document
Gap Analysis on Behavioural Research Related to Climate Policy and Interventions
Lades L & Augustenborg C (2024) Gap Analysis on Behavioural Research Related to Climate Policy and Interventions. Irish Environmental Protection Agency. Behavioural Insights Series, 2. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/gap-analysis-on-behavioural-research-related-to-climate-policy-and-interventions.php
Article
Self-control failures, as judged by themselves
Lades LK & Delaney L (2024) Self-control failures, as judged by themselves. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, Art. No.: 1351. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03845-1
Article
Pro-environmental behaviors and well-being in everyday life
Prinzing M, Lades LK, Weber TO, Fredrickson B & Laffan K (2024) Pro-environmental behaviors and well-being in everyday life. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 98, Art. No.: 102394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102394
Article
Lowe WUA, Lades L & Carroll P (2024) Personalizing travel behaviour change interventions using the trans-theoretical model and multimodality data. European Transport Research Review, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-024-00666-w
Article
Qian C, Antonides G, Zhu X, Heerink N & Lades LK (2024) Do economic preferences and personality traits influence fertilizer use? Evidence from rice farmers in eastern China. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 96, Art. No.: 102328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102328
Manual / Guide
Interview Guide: Identifying "Sludge" in Climate Action
Martin L & Lades L (2024) Interview Guide: Identifying "Sludge" in Climate Action. OSFHOME. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/32WTA
Article
Recent developments in Behavioural Public Policy: IBPPC 2022
Banerjee S, Zimmermann L, Hortal A, Dold M, Ivchenko A, Lades L, McDonald R & Savani MM (2024) Recent developments in Behavioural Public Policy: IBPPC 2022. Behavioural Public Policy. https://doi.org/10.1017/bpp.2024.12
Article
Lades L & Nova F (2024) Ethical Considerations When Using Nudges to Reduce Meat Consumption: an Analysis Through the FORGOOD Ethics Framework. Journal of Consumer Policy, 47 (1), pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-023-09558-3
Article
Compliance Spending Aversion: An Unintended Consequence of Charity Regulation
Samahita M & Lades L (2023) Compliance Spending Aversion: An Unintended Consequence of Charity Regulation. Journal of Behavioral Public Administration, 6 (1). https://doi.org/10.30636/jbpa.61.337
Article
Laffan K, Lades LK & Delaney L (2023) Paths that lead astray: Examining the situational predictors of intention-behaviour gaps in meat consumption. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 89, p. 102045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102045
Policy Document
"Sludge" in Irish Policymaking
Lades L, Johnson J & O'Connor R (2022) "Sludge" in Irish Policymaking. PublicPolicy.ie. Dublin. https://publicpolicy.ie/governance/sludge-in-irish-policymaking/
Policy Document
Nova F & Lades L (2022) Nudges and Other Behavioural Public Policy Instruments to Encourage Environmentally Friendly Behaviour. PublicPolicy.ie. Dublin. https://publicpolicy.ie/environment/nudges-and-other-behavioural-public-policy-instruments-to-encourage-environmentally-friendly-behaviour/
Article
Self-control, goal interference, and the binge-watching experience: An event reconstruction study
Lades LK, Barbett L, Daly M & Dombrowski SU (2022) Self-control, goal interference, and the binge-watching experience: An event reconstruction study. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 7, p. 100220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100220
Article
Informing behavioural policies with data from everyday life
Lades L, Martin L & Delaney L (2022) Informing behavioural policies with data from everyday life. Behavioural Public Policy, 6 (2), pp. 172-190. https://doi.org/10.1017/bpp.2018.37
Article
Comerford DA & Lades LK (2022) Responsibility utility and the difference between preference and desirance: implications for welfare evaluation. Social Choice and Welfare, 58 (2), pp. 201-224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-021-01352-9
Article
Lades L & Delaney L (2022) Nudge FORGOOD. Behavioural Public Policy, 6 (1), pp. 75-94. https://doi.org/10.1017/bpp.2019.53
Dataset
Data for Do economic preferences predict pro-environmental behaviours in daily life?
Lades L (2021) Data for Do economic preferences predict pro-environmental behaviours in daily life?.
Article
Maybe tomorrow: How burdens and biases impede energy-efficiency investments
Lades L, Clinch JP & Kelly JA (2021) Maybe tomorrow: How burdens and biases impede energy-efficiency investments. Energy Research & Social Science, 78, Art. No.: 102154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102154
Article
Do economic preferences predict pro-environmental behaviour?
Lades LK, Laffan K & Weber TO (2021) Do economic preferences predict pro-environmental behaviour?. Ecological Economics, 183, Art. No.: 106977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.106977
Article
Shahab S & Lades LK (2021) Sludge and transaction costs. Behavioural Public Policy, pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1017/bpp.2021.12
Dataset
Data for Daily emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
(2020) Data for Daily emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article
Daily emotional well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Lades LK, Laffan K, Daly M & Delaney L (2020) Daily emotional well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic. British Journal of Health Psychology, 25 (4), pp. 902-911. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12450
Conference Paper (published)
One year update following removal of high sugar sweetened beverages from a university campus
Fitzpatrick P, O’Connor J, Doyle G, Delaney L, Lades L, Lawlor O, Mullins B & Murrin C (2019) One year update following removal of high sugar sweetened beverages from a university campus. In: volume 29, 2019-2019. Oxford: Oxford University Press (OUP). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.645
Article
Temptation, self-control, and inter-temporal choice
Lades LK & Hofmann W (2019) Temptation, self-control, and inter-temporal choice. Journal of Bioeconomics, 21, pp. 47-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10818-019-09284-2
Conference Paper (published)
Removing sugar sweetened beverages from a university campus
Murrin C, O'Connor J, Doyle G, Delany L, Lades L, O'Malley G, Lawlor O, Harold L, Mullins B & Fitzpatrick P (2018) Removing sugar sweetened beverages from a university campus. In: volume 28, 2018-2018. Oxford: Oxford University Press (OUP). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cky214.014
Article
Present Bias and Everyday Self-Control Failures: A Day Reconstruction Study
Delaney L & Lades LK (2017) Present Bias and Everyday Self-Control Failures: A Day Reconstruction Study. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 30 (5), pp. 1157-1167. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdm.2031
Book Chapter
Evolutionary Behavioral Economics
Burnham TC, Lea SEG, Bell AV, Gintis H, Glimcher PW, Kurzban R, Lades L, McCabe K, Panchanathan K, Teschl M & Witt U (2016) Evolutionary Behavioral Economics. In: Wilson DS & Kirman A (eds.) Complexity and Evolution: Toward a New Synthesis for Economics. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, pp. 113-144. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/9780262035385.003.0008
Book Review
Lades LK (2016) George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller: Phishing for phools: the economics of manipulation and deception. Review of: Phishing for phools: The economics of manipulation and deception, Akerlof, G. A., & Shiller, R. J. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2015, 288 pp. ISBN: 9780691168319. Journal of Bioeconomics, 18 (3), pp. 243-246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10818-016-9236-5
Book Chapter
Lades L (2015) Present-biased preferences. In: Real-World Decision Making An Encyclopedia of Behavioral Economics. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, pp. 331-333. https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/realworld-decision-making-9781440828157/
Book Chapter
Lades L (2015) Impulsive Behaviour. In: Altman M (ed.) Real-World Decision Making: An Encyclopedia of Behavioral Economics. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, pp. 215-217. https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/realworld-decision-making-9781440828157/
Working Paper
Present Bias and Everyday Self-Control Failures
Delaney L & Lades L (2015) Present Bias and Everyday Self-Control Failures. Stirling Economics Discussion Paper, 2015-01.
Article
Autonomy-Enhancing Paternalism
Binder M & Lades L (2015) Autonomy-Enhancing Paternalism. Kyklos, 68 (1), pp. 3-27. https://doi.org/10.1111/kykl.12071
Article
Fighting maritime piracy: Three lessons from Pompeius magnus
Schubert C & Lades L (2014) Fighting maritime piracy: Three lessons from Pompeius magnus. Defence and Peace Economics, 25 (5), pp. 481-497. https://doi.org/10.1080/10242694.2013.804669
Book Review
Lades L (2014) Book Reviews. Review of: The evolutionary bases of consumption, Gad Saad, Mahwah, NJ, Psychology Press, 2007, xx + 339 pp (paperback), ISBN: 978-0805851502 The consuming instinct: What juicy burgers, Ferraris, pornography, and gift giving reveal about human nature, Gad Saad, Amherst, NY, Prometheus Books, 2011, 374 pp (Hardcover), ISBN: 978-1-61614-429-6. Journal of Bioeconomics, 16 (3), pp. 329-334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10818-014-9184-x
Working Paper
Autonomy-enhancing paternalism
Binder M & Lades L (2014) Autonomy-enhancing paternalism. Stirling Economics Discussion Paper, 2014-09. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2436928
Article
Impulsive consumption and reflexive thought: Nudging ethical consumer behavior
Lades L (2014) Impulsive consumption and reflexive thought: Nudging ethical consumer behavior. Journal of Economic Psychology, 41, pp. 114-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2013.01.003
Article
Lades L (2013) Explaining shapes of Engel curves: the impact of differential satiation dynamics on consumer behavior. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 23 (5), pp. 1023-1045. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00191-013-0324-6
Article
Towards an incentive salience model of intertemporal choice
Lades L (2012) Towards an incentive salience model of intertemporal choice. Journal of Economic Psychology, 33 (4), pp. 833-841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2012.03.007
He has taught on modules such as Behavioural Public Policy, Behavioural Economics I: Concepts & Theories, Behavioural Economics: Business and Policy Applications, Environmental Economics, Research for Environmental Policy, Behavioural Science for Managers, Industrial Organisation, and Intermediate Microeconomics.
