Erez Yoeli

Erez Yoeli is a Researcher at MIT's Sloan School of Management and Director of the Applied Cooperation Initiative (ACI). He also serves as a Lecturer at Harvard University's Department of Economics. His research focuses on altruism, leveraging game theory and behavioral science to address real-world challenges such as energy conservation, public health adherence, and philanthropy. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and previously worked at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission as an economist and expert witness.

Yoeli's work bridges academia and practical application, collaborating with governments, nonprofits, and companies. His book Hidden Games (2022), co-authored with Moshe Hoffman, explores how game theory explains irrational human behavior. His research has been featured in TIME, New York Times, and Behavioral Scientist, and he has delivered a TEDx talk with over 2 million views.

Key achievements include the 2024 INFORMS Pierskalla Award for research contributions to health and humanitarian operations. His studies span behavioral nudges in energy policy, pandemic response strategies, and tuberculosis treatment adherence. Yoeli's interdisciplinary approach integrates experimental economics, field experiments, and policy design to promote prosocial behavior.

His academic contributions include seminal work on social norms, reciprocity, and cooperation mechanisms. Ongoing projects explore hyper-polarized contexts, peer-to-peer solar incentives, and digital health interventions. He is affiliated with MIT's ACI, Harvard, and serves as an advisor to initiatives promoting ethical and cooperative societal frameworks.