The Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists

About GAABS

The Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists is the first and only professional association to bridge behavioural science in academia with the real-world dynamics encountered by practitioners in the field. GAABS members must demonstrate their commitment to ethical and evidence-based intervention approaches to be admitted to the association. With members from around the globe, GAABS:

  • Promotes ethics in behavioural science application

  • Distributes annual awards for the highest calibre work that demonstrates real-world applicability for practitioners

  • Conducts cross-cutting research

  • Establishes baseline real-world understanding

  • Works to advance the practice of behavioural science in the field

Why GAABS Exists

Applied behavioural science is a fast-growing field. As it expands, there is an increasing need for professional standards, ethical practice, and support for practitioners and organisations using behavioural science.

GAABS was created to help meet these needs by:

  • Promoting high standards and quality in applied behavioural science

  • Supporting the professional development of current and future practitioners

  • Representing and connecting the behavioural science community worldwide

  • Encouraging ethical, evidence-based practice

  • Sharing and promoting the field's most valuable insights and applications

Our Goals

  • Help people and organisations identify trusted behavioural science practitioners and teams.

  • Promote high-quality, ethical, and evidence-based behavioural science through shared professional standards.

  • Strengthen connections between research and practice, and increase awareness of the field's most valuable insights.

  • Support the responsible use of behavioural science, with consideration for human rights, ethics, sustainability, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Protect the integrity of applied behavioural science by encouraging professional conduct and addressing practices that could undermine trust in the field.

  • Black-and-white close-up photo of a middle-aged man with short, dark hair and light eyes, smiling slightly.

    “The need for a professional body of behavioural scientists is great. The resolution in the form of GAABS is inspired.”

    Robert Cialdini, Emeritus Professor at the Arizona State University and GAABS Advisor

  • Black and white headshot of a woman smiling, with long dark hair, wearing earrings and a pearl necklace.

    “Amidst rapid global growth of applied behavioral science, developing quality standards and safeguarding ethical practices are important goals for GAABS to undertake.”

    Jennifer Lerner, Thornton F. Bradshaw Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and GAABS Advisor

  • Black and white portrait of a man with slicked-back hair and light-colored eyes, looking directly at the camera.

    “GAABS has a member base of excellent and inspiring behavioural practitioners. The Awards are the platform they deserve to showcase their high quality behavioural science applications.”

    Pelle Hansen, Behavioural Scientist at Roskilde University and GAABS Advisor