“There are only two ways in which you can really sustain a change in behavior: it has to become easier or more fun.”

Research focus: Behavioral change, Self-regulation, Self-control, Nudging

Denise de Ridder (1959) is professor of psychology at the Department of Social, Health & Organizational Psychology at Utrecht University and director of the Self-Regulation Lab.

Focus on self-regulation, self-monitoring and nudging

The main subjects of her research are self-regulation, self-control and nudging. She is project leader of several research projects in the field of self-regulation and nudging, financed by NWO and other parties. In addition, she is senior editor of Health Psychology Review and writes a monthly column on behavioral insights for policy making in the national Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad. Together with colleagues from the legal profession, economics and public administration she is involved in the stream Behavior and Institutions within the strategic theme Institutions for Open Societies of Utrecht University.