Jerry Badii
MSc Behavioural Science
2024/25
Learn more about Jerry's background and experience as an AKO scholarship holder in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science.
My overarching aim is to conduct high-quality research using well-being data to influence educational policies in Ghana
Hi Jerry! Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background — where are you from, and what were you doing before you came to LSE?
While my hometown is Daffiama, Ghana, I was born, brought up, and received my education in Cape Coast, Ghana. Studying for a B.Ed (Economics) at the University of Cape Coast deepened my interest in young people, as the programme equipped me with the knowledge and skills to shape and nurture young minds. After completing my studies, I taught Economics for six years at the senior high school, fostering a passion and love for Economics among my students.
Can you share what motivated you to pursue the MSc Behavioural Science at LSE — what hopes or goals led you here?
Since childhood, I have been fascinated and intrigued by human behaviour, so I have spent some time reading books relating to human behaviour. When it came to deciding what programme to pursue at the graduate school, there were several options available to me, given my major in Economics. During one of my searches on the internet, I came across the MSc Behavioural Science (which is all about understanding and influencing human behaviour). To satisfy my curiosity about human behaviour, I wanted to examine this area of human existence in-depth and at a more academic level. Professionally, I wanted to gain insight from behavioural science to drive positive, lasting change in Ghana's education system. These were the two major reasons that led me to pursue an MSc Behavioural Science.
Renowned for its excellence in social sciences, LSE was the ideal place. The programme is housed within the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, ranked as the top department of its kind in the UK. Nowhere else could have offered a better environment for exploring and understanding human behaviour in such depth.
During your LSE journey, were there any particular courses, projects, or people that had a significant impact on your studies?
I enrolled in the Wellbeing specialism of the MSc Behavioural Science, where I studied the modules Happiness and Wellbeing for Policy. My overarching aim is to conduct high-quality research using well-being data to influence educational policies in Ghana, so the well-being specialism was a natural path.
As part of the Wellbeing for Policy course, I worked in a team to evaluate the New Deal for Community (NDC) Programme, an initiative by the UK Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHCLG) aimed at improving underdeveloped regions in the UK in areas such as education. This project was very rewarding as it offered me the opportunity to apply wellbeing concepts to real-world policy issues. It has provided a wealth of knowledge that I will draw on in the future to evaluate educational policies from a wellbeing lens.
Looking back, what were the most significant difficulties you encountered during your MSc, and what did you learn from navigating them?
This question reminds me of my first seminar presentation. It appeared daunting — it was my first time speaking in an international academic setting. However, with resources from LSE LIFE, I overcame my nerves and gained confidence in articulating my ideas to a global audience.
Then came my first major exam in the course, Foundations in Behavioural Science, which presented significant challenges, as I initially struggled to understand the expectations in a rigorous academic setting like LSE. As a scholarship holder, I also battled with impostor syndrome and the pressure to excel. Thanks to the Lecturers of the course, who provided guidance on the exam and what was expected from students. Resources from LSE LIFE were also helpful.
Overcoming these challenges taught me to embrace support, overcome self-doubt, and build confidence in high-pressure, international academic settings.
What kind of impact do you hope to have in your home region, and how have your experiences in PBS and with the AKO scholarship prepared you for that mission?
I hope to make a meaningful impact in the education sector of Ghana, particularly by promoting the well-being of students and improving learning outcomes in senior high schools. Behavioural interventions can drive significant improvements in education, because at the heart of the problems in the education sector, such as indiscipline, is behavioural change. So, in the long run, I will establish a behavioural unit and engage with the government to implement behavioural insights in educational policies.
The master’s degree, which AKO has so generously funded, has provided the leverage to make this impact. The programme has not only equipped me with the knowledge to design behavioural interventions, but has also provided tools to conduct research on behavioural issues and demonstrate how behavioural insights could improve outcomes.
What guidance would you give to future AKO Scholars to help them make the most of their time at LSE?
As a future AKO Scholar, you need to be intentional about time management, as studying at LSE could be overwhelming — plan and break tasks into manageable steps to avoid last-minute stress, especially during assessments. It is also important to set clear priorities early on: identify your academic goals and balance them with your well-being and social engagement. Do not hesitate to seek help from lecturers, academic advisers, or peers. Most importantly, make the most of LSE’s support resources, especially LSE LIFE, which offers guidance on academic writing, presentations, and managing university life. These tools made a significant difference in my experience.
Using only three words, how would you describe your academic journey in PBS and LSE?
Challenging, Rewarding, Memorable.