UN Innovation Network 29d ago

This session explores how behavioural data science, simulation and synthetic data can help the UN better understand behaviour, needs and decision-making across diverse contexts. Featuring opening remarks from Michael Bernstein (Stanford University) and examples from UNICEF, UNHCR, and Ashley Whillans (Harvard University), the discussion examines how large-scale data can generate insights on vaccination, migration and workplace wellbeing. Speakers consider how these methods can support more targeted, evidence-informed programming, while addressing methodological, ethical and practical questions around simulation, synthetic data and sensitive data use.