Behavioural Scientist
Dr. Lourdes Valencia Torres
Experimental Psychologist | PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience | Ex-Behavioural Insights Team | Forbes 100 Most Influential Women in Mexico 2017
Dr. Lourdes Valencia Torres
About me
As a behavioural scientist and psychologist, I've always been fascinated by how people make decisions, especially how we often say one thing and do another.
My goal is to understand how people make decisions in the real world and design solutions that encourage the desired behaviour. My problem–solving approach focuses on understanding human behaviour by applying psychological theories, evidence, and data to address cognitive biases and form well–informed recommendations.
Whether tasked with optimizing an online service to save money or designing interventions to promote the selection of healthier foods, my aim is to provide practical, evidence–based solutions that drive positive change.
My Background
I am an experimental psychologist with a PhD focused on intertemporal choice, examining how individuals make decisions involving trade–offs between costs and benefits occurring at different times.
During my postdoctoral years, I studied impulsive behaviour linked to a variety of behaviours and disorders (ADHD, binge eating, gambling) and developed a deep understanding of the neurobiology of eating. Since moving to industry, I’ve been conducting mixed–methods research to solve complex problems in a variety of settings.
My work spans various sectors, including public health, finance, employment and sustainability, and involves collaborations with national and international partners.

What I do
Conduct and analyse research: Design studies, gather data, and analyse findings to understand human behaviour and decision–making processes.
Design, implement, and test interventions: Create strategies to influence behaviour, design trials to test these interventions, and evaluate their effectiveness in areas such as public health, finance, marketing, and policymaking.
Collaborate and advise: Work with multidisciplinary teams and provide expert guidance to organizations on applying behavioural insights to achieve organizational goals.
Educate and engage: Conduct training sessions, lead workshops, and participate in public speaking engagements to share knowledge and promote the application of behavioural science principles.


Other Interests
I'm an avid runner and have completed several marathons with a personal best of 3 hours and 12 minutes (a metric that only makes sense to runners!).
In recent years, I have become an open water swimmer in the North Sea. I started during the pandemic and now swim all year round, including winters. I absolutely love the sea and find peace, courage, and drive when I'm in it. I have participated in several swimrun events, a discipline that is rapidly growing in the UK.
My latest challenge will be a cross–current swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco Bay this summer.
I'm also a big fan of short stories, both reading and writing them. I hope to publish my stories one day!




Research
Academic Papers
During my academic career, I contributed to a variety of topics in the field of behavioural neuroscience, with my research published in numerous academic journals.
Here’s a sample of my publications:
Projects
In addition to my academic work, I conducted significant research as part of the Behavioural Insights Team and Nesta.
Below is a selection of my work on alcohol consumption, vaccination, employment and healthy food environment.