Electoral Psychology Observatory

Introduction

The Electoral Psychology Observatory (EPO) is an ambitious and innovative Research Unit at the LSE, which is dedicated to cutting edge research on the psychology of voters, and optimising the electoral experience of voters in general, and voters with particular needs (such as first time voters, voters with hidden mental or learning disabilities, etc), which is what we have defined as “electoral ergonomics”.

Our research uses frontier-breaking methods, from panel study surveys and family focus groups and voters’ diaries to physiological and visual experiments, field experiments, and direct observation in partnership with Electoral Commissions. We thrive on cross-disciplinary research, with colleagues from disciplines ranging from psychology to architecture, and from design and museum studies to law. We also work closely with practitioners from around the world, including Electoral Commissions, Parliaments, and EU and International Organisations. You can find some of our latest research in our forthcoming book Inside the Mind of a Voter (Princeton University Press, 2020)  join our launch event or our new competition on designing the ideal polling station, browse our new Almanac of Electoral Ergonomics, follow our news and twitter feed or contact us directly .

The EPO Director is Prof. Michael Bruter, and Deputy Director Dr Sarah Harrison, both from the Department of Government at the LSE. EPO is funded by European Research Council Grant – ELHO, and our projects are supported by the European Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council as well as a HEFCE Knowledge Exchange and Impact grant.

 

ERC President Prof. Maria Leptin with EPO Director Michael Bruter and core Researcher Sandra Obradovic

EPO Deputy Director Sarah Harrison introducing an EPO Roundtable in the UK Parliament

 

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