David Halpern (psychologist)

David Solomon Halpern[1] CBE FAcSS (born June 1966[1]) is a British psychologist and civil servant, who founded the Behavioural Insights Team (unofficially known as the Nudge Unit).

[6] Halpern is one of the 56 individuals named by the UK government as contributing to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, focusing on behavioural changes such as increased handwashing.

[7] On 11 March 2020 he gave an interview to the BBC on the importance of shielding vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic until herd immunity had been achieved.

[8] In a July 2023 interview with The Daily Telegraph, he proposed that through his unit's measures the public were now well "drilled" for future emergencies, going on to suggest that using fear was a useful tool "if you think people are wrongly calibrated".

[10] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for public service.