BIG Difference BC

BIG Difference BC is an annual event held in Seattle, United States, that dives into the application of behavioral science in changing behavior within complex systems. The 2025 edition explored these themes across seven different sessions, bringing together experts and practitioners from various fields. A highlight of this year’s conference was the keynote address by Emma Bloomberg, an Associate Professor for Public Policy and Management at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. In her talk titled 'Behavioral Science for Functional Policy & Practice,' she shared insights drawn from over a decade of research with various governments. Bloomberg focused on building effective governmental systems, examining the people and processes that underpin successful policy and practice, and discussing the feedback loops that sustain them. Her address raised critical questions about how to strengthen the workforce, design effective interactions, and overcome bottlenecks that impede the adoption of evidence-based practices. This session charted a shared agenda for both researchers and policymakers, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing unanswered questions in the field.In addition to the keynote, the conference featured a special session called 'Expanding Your BI Playbook,' led by an Assistant Professor of Business & Society from Simon Fraser University, a Qualitative Research Advisor from the Behavioural Science Office at the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Senior Director of Marquee Sports Events at the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport. This session focused on the continuous evolution of applied behavioral science and aimed to enhance the practices of attendees by introducing new tools and perspectives. It covered topics such as systems thinking, Indigenous perspectives, qualitative methods, and the integration of artificial intelligence in behavioral science research. The event, scheduled from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific Time, attracted a diverse audience with a reach that extended to regions including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the USA, fostering a global conversation on behavioral science applications.