Antiracist by Design: Reimagining Applied Behavioral Science

How to confront the challenge of creating antiracist behavioral design—and how to successfully implement the solutions.

Behavioral science has been celebrated as a field whose insights can design a better world, but its color-blind approach has perpetuated unjust systems. With over three decades of collective experience at the forefront of applied behavioral science, authors Hall and Hernandez expose the consequences of this failure and the dangers of inaction. While our hesitancy is understandable—applied behavioral science alone won’t dismantle structural racism—we’ve confused limitations with powerlessness. This book provides a call to action.

Antiracist By Design provides the tools and a roadmap to an antiracist approach to applied behavioral science, including a step-by-step guide to reimagined behavioral design processes, “fan fiction” with antiracist makeovers to classic studies, and a revised behavioral map template that prompts users to consider systemic barriers. Written for anyone who wants to make the world a more just place, Hall and Hernandez use scholarly research alongside accessible stories (from Mozart and Chris Rock to the TV show Insecure) to illuminate ways we can drive racial justice forward. Everyone from scholars to students to NGO program designers, will benefit from these renovated best practices.

Crystal Hall is Associate Professor at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.
Mindy Hernandez is Director of the Living Lab for Equitable Climate Action at World Resources Institute.