Khon Kaen University

SDG Alignment for Master of Economics Program in Behavioral and Applied Economics

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Economics Program in Behavioral and Applied Economics is holistically designed to produce graduates with the ability to analyze and solve diverse public policy and private sector problems. The program's core philosophy, which emphasizes the application of behavioral economics to real-world issues, makes it a powerful contributor across a wide range of Sustainable Development Goals. Its most profound alignment is with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through its focus on evidence-based approaches to poverty alleviation, mirroring the work of Nobel laureates like Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. By training experts to design 'nudges' and choice architectures for health and environmental behaviors, the curriculum directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). As an international, graduate-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and inherently fosters the global collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Best Practices

        The Master of Economics Program in Behavioral and Applied Economics has positioned itself as a leader in the application of knowledge to solve behavioral challenges affecting the social and economic sustainability of the Northeast region.
        The core activity, "Design and Testing of Behavioral Policies to Promote Sustainable Savings and Investment Behavior in Vulnerable Groups Project," was developed to address the structural problem of financial inequality and the lack of sound financial decision-making skills, which are obstacles to long-term grassroots economic development. The activity integrated in-depth learning from key subjects, such as EC 801 701 Advanced Behavioral Economics, which provides a framework for understanding deviations from rationality; EC 801 705 Behavioral Design and Experimentation, which uses Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) to create behavioral innovation; and EC 801 703 Household and Financial Economics. Students collaborated with financial institutions and community development organizations to design "Nudges" or stimuli that influence decision-making, such as improving the presentation format of financial information, setting default options that support saving, and using social commitment contracts.
        The empirical results are that students successfully developed a set of tested and proven behavioral science tools that are effective in improving the financial decision-making of project participants, particularly among low-income groups and youth.
        This operation created a broad, sustainable impact, shifting from providing "should-do" advice to creating "an environment that encourages doing the right thing," which elevates the quality of life and strengthens long-term financial security. This strategically aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) clearly: SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), through using low-cost but highly effective tools to help vulnerable groups make decisions that reduce the economic gap; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), through creating household financial stability, which is the foundation for sustainable and quality economic growth; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through serving as a model for systematically blending advanced academic knowledge with the field operations of partners to drive behavioral change at the policy level, reaffirming Khon Kaen University's mission as a leading institution that uses behavioral economics as a concrete mechanism for creating social justice.