--- title: "EP#165: Applying Behavioural Science to Fight Misinformation and Sustain Change" description: David Pembroke chats with Sharon Rosenrauch, Principal Behavioural Scientist at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. image: https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Sharon%20Announcement%20Tile-1.jpg --- Talk to us [![fb](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/facebook-brands.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/govcinstitute) [![li](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/linkedin-brands.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcomms-institute) [![tw](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/twitter-brands.svg)](https://twitter.com/govc_institute) [![in](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/instagram-brands.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/govcommsinstitute/) [![logo-white](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=197&height=40&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://contentgroup-19617054.hs-sites.com/home-2) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=197&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep165-applying-behavioural-science-to-fight-misinformation-and-sustain-change) - [Podcast](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) [Back to blog](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) # EP#165: Applying Behavioural Science to Fight Misinformation and Sustain Change [![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Institute%20Logo-01.jpg)  GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team)  | Sep 18, 2024 4:23:13 PM [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Sharon%20Announcement%20Tile-1.jpg) What does it take to change public behaviour and create lasting impact? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke explores this question with Sharon Rosenrauch, Principal Behavioural Scientist at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. Sharon shares how small interventions—like nudging GPs to reduce antibiotic prescriptions—can lead to significant, long-term changes in society, demonstrating how behavioural insights shape more effective government policies. Sharon also discusses the battle against misinformation in areas like climate change and energy, revealing how social norms and peer influence affect public opinion. She highlights a promising shift toward greater public skepticism of online misinformation, a key factor in building a more informed and engaged society. The episode emphasises the importance of collaboration between behavioural scientists and communication experts. Sharon explains how tools like the EAST framework help craft impactful government messages, and how these partnerships are driving more effective communication strategies across departments.   Stream the episode on Spotify: Discussed in this episode: - Behavioural science's impact on public policy (e.g., reducing antibiotic prescriptions). - Tackling misinformation in climate and energy policy. - Collaboration between behavioural scientists and communication teams. - Pre-testing and randomised trials for sustaining behaviour change. - Building public sector capabilities with tools like the EAST framework. - Behavioural insights in Australia’s energy transition. Transcript: [A transcript of this episode can be found here.](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Ep%20165%20-%20Sharon%20Rosenrauch%20Transcript.pdf) --- ###### About the Author GovComms Institute Team ### On the same subject ### [EP#170: Ubuntu and Storytelling: Building Relationships in the Public Service](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep163-managing-high-stakes-events-and-data-driven-government-communication-0-0-0-0-0-0-0) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ### [EP#166: The AGILE approach to digital advocacy: transforming communications](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep163-managing-high-stakes-events-and-data-driven-government-communication-0-0-0) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ### [EP#167: Comms unlocked: insights on influence, ethics and a lasting career in Government](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep163-managing-high-stakes-events-and-data-driven-government-communication-0-0-0-0) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=200&height=41&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/) A global platform for government communicators. - SITE MAP - [Home](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) - LEGALS - [Privacy Policy](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/pirivacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/terms-and-conditions) - CONTACT US - [+61 2 6273 0232](tel:+61%202%206273%200232) - [govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au](mailto:govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au) - [Level 3, 2 Mort Street, Canberra, ACT 2601 GPO Box 2381, Canberra, ACT 2601](https://goo.gl/maps/4iAFuvdJ1KbTe28CA) - Copyright © 2020 contentgroup Theme designed by [Markentive](https://www.markentive.com/)