What we do

CLOSER is an interdepartmental research center of the University of Turin that focuses on the experimental study of decision-making processes. Through simple, non-invasive experiments based on games and/or surveys, we study the behavior of individuals in laboratory situations that simulate real-world ones.

These experiments allow us to test behavioral models in the economics and social sciences and – more broadly – understand how humans behave in different contests. In addition to laboratory experiments, CLOSER is also developing online and lab-in-the-field methods that allow reaching representative samples and specific groups of individuals.

The complexity of human choices requires an interdisciplinary set of competencies that CLOSER aims to bring together, such as economics, psychology, sociology, political science, anthropology, etc. Recent behavioral tests carried out in CLOSER also involved the collection and analysis of physiological parameters, in cooperation with the Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Turin.

CLOSER was founded in 2015 by the Department of Economics and Statistics "Cognetti de Martiis" (EST), the Department of Cultures, Politics and Society (CPS), the Department of Economics, Social Studies, Applied Mathematics and Statistics (ESOMAS), and the Collegio Carlo Alberto (CCA), thanks to the financial support of Fondazione Compagnia di S. Paolo (38,907€) and University of Turin (19.500 €).

In 2021, CLOSER received additional financial support from the University of Turin (46.765€) and the Italian Ministry of Education for the development of research infrastructure (532.820€, PNR funds). As a result, CLOSER is currently developing the physical and virtual infrastructure which will allow researchers to carry out experiments online and in the field.

In 2022, CLOSER received infrastructural investments (120.000€) to carry out experiments on smart mobility, within the PNRR project "CN4-14 Hydrogen and New Fuels (MOST)".