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A laboratory for carrying out behavioural and experimental research has been created in the School of Business, Management and Economics at the University of Sussex. 

The space will help the School continue to build its reputation in experimental economics, organisational behaviour and consumer psychology. 

The lab contains 24 high-specification workstations to allow experiments to be conducted simultaneously, in a controlled, distraction-free environment. 

One of the first researchers to make use of the new facilities will be Ruxandra Luca, who is investigating the effect of visual attention and advert distractions on product preferences in an online context. The study hinges on millisecond-precision measurement of reaction times, which the new facility can accommodate. 

Dr Matthew Embrey, who was involved in the creation of the lab, said: “Experimental results and methods are a core component of the current trend to incorporate behavioural research into policy. 

“This has been led in the UK by the Behavioural Insights Team, and there are similar units in many other countries and international organisations. 

“As well as boosting our research in this area, this new facility will help us train graduates that can meet the increasing demand for the skill set required by this new development in policy-making.” 

For enquiries about using the lab, contact Dr Matthew Embrey or Ruxandra Luca.