Van de Weele's research focuses on issues at the intersection of economics and psychology. In this context, 1 phenomenon he studies in particular is ‘motivated cognition. ‘This refers to the idea that people don’t always base their opinions solely on logic and evidence. Self-interest or their own preferences also play a role. This means that economic incentives and economic status determine how we see the world and which arguments we find valid’, explains the new professor.

Teaching

Van der Weele is coordinator of the Behavioural Economics and Game Theory track in the MSc Economics. In this track he teaches the Topics in Behavioural Economics course. An overview of current topics in behavioural economics are covered in the classes. He also teaches the Research Seminar which prepares students for their master’s thesis.

About Joël van der Weele

Between 1999 and 2004, Van der Weele to the Bachelor’s in Economics and Bachelor’s in Philosophy at the University of Groningen. He also obtained his Master’s in Economics from the same institution in 2005.He received his doctorate in Economics from the European University Institute in Italy in 2009. From 2009 to 2013, Van der Weele worked as a researcher at Goethe University Frankfurt. Since 2013, he has been working as a researcher and lecturer at the Center for Research in Experimental Economics (CREED). This centre is part of the Amsterdam School of Economics.