Behavioural Law and Economics

9. März 2026, von Internetredaktion

Announcement of a Seminar in the Summer Semester 2026

Behavioural Law and Economics

How do people actually make decisions and what does that mean for the law?

In the Summer Semester 2026, Prof. Dr. Eva van der Zee will offer a seminar on Behavioral Law & Economics, exploring how insights from psychology and behavioral economics can help us better understand legal rules, institutions, and policy design.

This seminar invites students to critically examine the traditional assumption of the “rational actor” in law and to explore how real human behavior influences legal outcomes. Through reading, research, and discussion, participants will engage with contemporary questions at the intersection of law, economics, and psychology.

Who can participate?
The seminar is primarily aimed at students in Schwerpunktbereich VI (Law and Economics), but it is also open to other interested law students. No prior knowledge of behavioural law and economics is required.

Learning objectives
Participants will:

·         strengthen their critical thinking

·         develop research skills

·         practice academic discussion and presentation

·         gain a deeper understanding of behavioral approaches to law

Language
The seminar will be held in English.

Assessment
To successfully complete the seminar, participants must:

·         write a term paper (approx. 3000 words) or a bachelor thesis (approx. 10000 words)

·         give a 10-minute presentation based on their research.

Topics
Students can choose from a range of suggested topics, including for example:

·         Nudging in international law

·         Behavioural insights in environmental law

·         Designing public law and governance: insights from psychology

·         Consumer law and the rational actor model

·         Incentives in international law

The list is not exhaustive, and students are welcome to propose their own topic related to behavioral law and economics.

Seminar dates
The seminar sessions will take place at the University of Hamburg on the following dates:

Wednesday, 8 April 2026, 14:15–15:45

Wednesday, 15 April 2026, 14:15–15:45

Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 14:15–15:45

Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 14:15–15:45

Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 14:15–15:45

Registration
To register, please send an email to Prof. Dr. Eva van der Zee (eva.leora.van.der.zee"AT"uni-hamburg.de) before April 6. In your email, indicate:

·         your degree program, and

·         the topic you would like to work on.