Nicole Svensson ’24, Operations Research and Financial Engineering

Nicole Svensson ’24

I studied how the onset of COVID-19 shaped peoples’ preferences for a universal basic income (UBI). I analyzed a survey conducted by the Behavioral Science for Policy Lab (BSPL) across China, Italy and the United States. A portion of the survey requested that respondents numerically rate their support for a UBI. My analysis determined that COVID-19 increased support for a UBI in Italy and the United States, but decreased support for a UBI in China. I also studied the factors that may have affected this, such as race, income, education, gender and political affiliation. I thoroughly researched each of the respective countries’ social safety nets as context for possible explanations for the change in support. I was able to build upon my data analysis skills by learning the programming language R. I had not used R much before, but I became much more comfortable with it as a result of my project. Additionally, I learned how to thoughtfully write research papers and enumerate my findings in a concise manner. I enjoyed my time working in the laboratory and I thank BSPL for this opportunity.