IIT Mandi Hosts Applied Behavioural Sciences Conference 2025
On December 18, 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, one of India’s premier institutes, successfully hosted the Applied Behavioural Sciences and Decision Making Conference (ABSDM 2025). This prestigious two-day event brought together researchers, academicians, and practitioners from both India and abroad to discuss the latest research in behavioural science, cognitive modelling, and decision-making processes.
Conference Overview
ABSDM 2025 was organized by Prof. Varun Dutt from IIT Mandi and Prof. Sumitava Mukherjee from IIT Delhi. The conference served as a vibrant interdisciplinary platform, examining various cognitive, social, and technological dimensions of decision-making processes. The event highlighted the importance of applying behavioural insights to tackle real-world challenges, particularly in areas such as climate change, public policy, and emerging technologies.
Support and Inauguration
The conference received significant support from the TATA Trust Project, led by Principal Investigator Prof. K. V. Uday. This sponsorship was crucial for the successful organization of the event. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, the Director of IIT Mandi, who emphasized the significance of behavioural and decision-making research in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, education, and sustainability.
Keynote Address and Notable Speakers
One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote address delivered by Prof. Joachim Meyer, the Celia and Marcos Maus Professor of Data Sciences at Tel Aviv University. His presentation focused on the interface between humans and decision-support algorithms in critical fields, such as healthcare, defense, and transportation. Prof. Meyer shared empirical findings and models that provided valuable insights into enhancing trust and effectiveness in algorithm-assisted decision-making.
Research Presentations and Discussions
ABSDM 2025 featured a variety of insightful discussions on interdisciplinary and application-driven themes, including:
- Behavioural interventions for environmental sustainability
- Real-world applications of drift diffusion models
Over 30 research papers and poster presentations showcased the depth of applied behavioural science research across various domains, including:
- Climate decision-making
- Cognitive biases
- Human–AI interaction
- Organizational behaviour
Active engagement during the conference fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration. Various roundtable and open house discussions examined how behavioural research can inform public policy, climate action, and technology design.
Future Directions
The conference concluded with a General Body Meeting, during which participants discussed the formation of a Society for Applied Behavioural Science and Decision Making. This society aims to strengthen research, education, and outreach initiatives while planning for future conferences. ABSDM 2025 successfully united a multidisciplinary community of researchers working at the intersection of psychology, engineering, economics, and data science.
Continuing Initiatives at IIT Mandi
In addition to ABSDM 2025, IIT Mandi also organized the 7th Winter School on Cognitive Modelling (WSCM 2025). This initiative, supported by grants from the TATA Trusts and the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division of the Ministry of Education, served as a platform for experts and students from diverse disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and engineering. The winter school focused on exploring the latest developments in cognitive modelling and brain sciences.
Conclusion
With continued support from academic and research institutions, including IIT Mandi and Tata Trusts, the future of behavioural science and decision-making research in India appears promising. The successful hosting of ABSDM 2025 not only showcased the advancements in the field but also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex societal challenges.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on the events and discussions held during the ABSDM 2025 conference and related initiatives at IIT Mandi.
