Alison M. Buttenheim

Alison M. Buttenheim serves as CHIBE's Scientific Director and holds dual professorships at the University of Pennsylvania: as a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Health at the School of Nursing and as a Professor in the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine. She also directs engagement efforts at Penn LDI, demonstrating leadership across multiple institutional platforms.

Dr. Buttenheim is a leading public health scholar and behavioral scientist whose research addresses persistent behavior change challenges in public and global health. She applies behavioral economics and behavioral public policy frameworks to design, test, and scale innovative interventions for preventing and mitigating infectious diseases. Recognized globally as an expert in vaccine acceptance and behavioral design, she co-directs Penn's Behavioral Economics and Global Health Insights (BEGIN) Lab with Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy. Her work extends internationally through Indlela, a pioneering 'nudge unit' supporting HIV service delivery innovations in South Africa, where she serves as the Behavioural Science Technical Design Lead.

Analysis of Dr. Buttenheim's recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on vaccine acceptance, infectious disease prevention, and behavioral interventions in global health contexts. Her research spans public health, behavioral science, and global health implementation, with recurring themes including addressing vaccine hesitancy, designing effective health communication strategies, and applying behavioral economics principles to improve health outcomes in resource-limited settings. Her work demonstrates consistent methodological rigor with applications across diverse populations and health challenges.

• Co-director, Penn's Behavioral Economics and Global Health Insights (BEGIN) Lab
• Behavioural Science Technical Design Lead, Indlela (nudge unit for HIV service delivery in South Africa)
• Scientific Director, CHIBE
• Director of Engagement, Penn LDI