Source details
- Outlet: Universiteit Gent
- Author: Not listed
- Format: Institutional research news article
- Publication date: 9 July 2025
- Canonical source: Universiteit Gent
Article summary
UGent and Securex report on a workplace field experiment involving 149 employees at a Belgian public institution. Researchers compared an information session with several default-based interventions in which adjustable desks were placed at standing height before the workday. The strongest intervention combined a transparent default nudge with an information session, increasing observed standing work from 1.84% to 18.80%. Communication without the session raised standing work from 1.81% to 11.25%, while an information session alone produced no meaningful change.
Relevance to Mathias Celis
Mathias is identified as a UGent behavioral scientist and founder of Alkmist. The article directly quotes him explaining how visible defaults and social normalization can remove friction and make desired behavior feel natural. It also links readers to the underlying study and names Mathias as the contact for questions.
Key takeaway
The article presents Mathias's applied behavioral-science work to a broad institutional audience and translates the research into practical recommendations for employers and employees.