Behavioral economics for studying perceptions of bioengineered products

Advances in biotechnology have led to New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), offering potential to address agroecological transition challenges. However, their applications involve significant costs and risks, with potentially important consequences. The mixed reactions from the public towards these bioengineered products are a fertile ground for behavior-focused analyses that go beyond traditional normative cost-benefit analysis.
Through the prism of behavioral economics, we propose the following project, which aims to study the public’s perceptions of NGT-derived products. Indeed, the thesis aims to i) determine the most important factors that may affect the emergence of NGT-based innovations in markets, ii) improve our understanding of the public perception of NGT-derived products with a focus on the impact of uncertainty on societal acceptability, and iii) carry out an analysis of the market potential for these products. Three research chapters result from these objectives. The first chapter will rely on the Q-Methodology to determine the most important factors among those that have already been mentioned in the literature. The second chapter will assess the public perception of NGT-derived products by analyzing the relative importance of the main barriers to their societal acceptability. To this end, a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) will be implemented with a focus on the impact of uncertainty. Finally, the third chapter will assess the market potential for two product categories (food and non-food) derived from NGTs by estimating public willingness-to-pay or willingness-to-accept. We aim to determine how demand varies between these categories using laboratory experimentations in economics. Studies will rely on representative samples of the French population.
The insights that will emerge will enable us to accurately identify the misconceptions or fears surrounding NGTs and understand the conditions for a successful informed public-expert dialogue. 
 

IFP Energies nouvelles is a French public-sector research, innovation and training center. Its mission is to develop efficient, economical, clean and sustainable technologies in the fields of energy, transport and the environment. For more information, see our WEB site. 
IFPEN offers a stimulating research environment, with access to first in class laboratory infrastructures and computing facilities. IFPEN offers competitive salary and benefits packages. All PhD students have access to dedicated seminars and training sessions. 
 

Academic requirements    Master in behavioural economics, environmental economics.
Language requirements    English level B2 (CECRL) ; French level B2 (CECRL)
Other requirements    Microeconometrics, R, Python.