About

Craig Fox is the Harold Williams Chair and Professor of Management at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He holds joint appointments as a professor of psychology at the UCLA College of Letters and Sciences and as a professor of medicine in the UCLA Geffen School. Fox is a co-founder of the Behavioral Science & Policy Association and serves as co-editor of its flagship journal, Behavioral Science & Policy. He is also the co-director of the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Behavioral Decision Making at UCLA. His research primarily focuses on decision behavior, especially under conditions of risk and uncertainty, employing a variety of methods including surveys, lab experiments, field studies, archival data analysis, and neuroimaging. Fox’s work emphasizes the application of behavioral economics and social psychology to public and private sector policymaking, aiming to improve policy effectiveness by integrating behavioral science insights. Since joining UCLA in 2003 after six years at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, he has taught MBA, executive, and Ph.D. courses in managerial decision-making, negotiation, leadership, strategy, and dynamic management. His research has been published across top journals in management, psychology, economics, law, neuroscience, and general science, contributing significantly to understanding decision-making processes and their implications for policy and organizational behavior.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Social psychology
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Family medicine
• Economics
• Immunology
• Internet privacy
• Data science
• Positive economics
• Environmental health
• Medical emergency
• Virology
• Demography
• Nursing
• Internal medicine
• Cognitive psychology

Selected publications

• A Megastudy of Behavioral Interventions to Increase Voter Registration Ahead of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

  PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · 2026-05-10

  preprintOpen access

  In the United States, in nearly all cases, one must register in order to vote—yet, a substantial portion of the eligible electorate remains unregistered. Despite this, relatively little is known about how to increase the likelihood that a voter registers. Here, we tested the impact of 10 expert-crowdsourced, theoretically-based psychological interventions on a sample of eligible, yet unregistered, U.S. voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election (N = 12,896). Eight of the interventions increased intentions to vote, and five led individuals to click on the voter registration website. Escalating Commitment, which sequentially employed several social pressure strategies, was the strongest intervention across these outcomes. However, none of the interventions had a significant effect on actual voter registration or voter turnout. The results highlight a substantial disconnect between voters’ intentions and their ultimate behaviors. We discuss potential structural and psychological barriers that undermine the translation of intent into action.

  Publisher

• Localised Graph Neural Networks for Aqueous Solubility Prediction: A New Paradigm in QSPR Modelling

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Persistence of Effects of Behavioral Interventions on Reducing Overuse of Care in Older Patients After Discontinuation

  Annals of Internal Medicine · 2025-02-10 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background:Overtesting and overtreatment of older adults is common and may lead to adverse events. 1 A cluster-randomized trial 2 of a behavioral intervention to reduce overtesting and overtreatment of older adults in three areas identified by the American Geriatric Society "Choosing Wisely" campaign, 1 prostate-specific antigen screening (PSA), testing for urinary tract infections in women without specific reasons (UA/UC), and overtreatment of diabetes (DM) with drugs causing hypoglycemia, found that the intervention reduced overuse of care in all targeted areas. 3

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Population Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Strategies in Adults Aged 45 to 49 Years

  JAMA · 2025-08-04 · 9 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Colorectal cancer screening is now recommended at age 45 years for average-risk individuals; however, optimal outreach strategies to screen younger adults are unknown. Objective: To determine the most effective population health outreach strategy to promote colorectal cancer screening in adults aged 45 to 49 years. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial with 20 509 participants conducted in a large health system (UCLA Health). Primary care patients aged 45 to 49 years at average risk for colorectal cancer were randomized 1:1:1:1 to 1 of 4 outreach strategies. The trial ran May 2, 2022, to May 13, 2022, with follow-up through November 13, 2022. Interventions: Colorectal cancer screening via 1 of 4 strategies: (1) fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-only active choice; (2) colonoscopy-only active choice; (3) dual-modality (FIT or colonoscopy) active choice; and (4) usual care default mailed FIT outreach. Main Outcome and Measures: Primary outcome was participation in screening (FIT or colonoscopy) at 6 months. Secondary outcome was screening modality completed. Results: Among 20 509 participants (53.9% female, 4.2% Black and 50.8% non-Hispanic White; mean [SD] age, 47.4 [1.5] years), 3816 (18.6%) underwent screening. Participation was significantly lower in each of the 3 active choice groups (FIT only, 841 of 5131 [16.4%; rate difference, -9.8%; 95% CI, -11.3% to -8.2%]; colonoscopy only, 743 of 5127 [14.5%; rate difference, -11.7%; 95% CI, -13.2% to -10.1%]; dual-modality FIT or colonoscopy, 890 of 5125 [17.4%; rate difference, -8.9%; 95% CI, -10.5% to -7.4%]) than in the usual care default mailed FIT group (1342 of 5126 [26.2%]; all P < .001). Participants offered dual-modality active choice more likely completed any screening than those offered a single active choice modality (17.4% [dual-modality FIT or colonoscopy] vs 15.4% [FIT only and colonoscopy only combined]; rate difference, -1.8%; 95% CI, -3.0% to -0.1%; P = .004]). Among 5125 participants offered a choice between 2 modalities (dual-modality active choice FIT or colonoscopy), colonoscopy was more common than FIT (616 [12.0%] vs 288 [5.6%]; rate difference, -6.4%; 95% CI, -7.5% to -5.3%; P < .001). There was notable crossover in the FIT-only groups to colonoscopy (502 of 5131 [9.8%; FIT-only active choice] and 501 of 5126 [9.8%; usual care default mailed FIT]). Crossover from colonoscopy to FIT was modest (137 of 5127 [2.7%; colonoscopy-only active choice]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, 3 different active choice interventions had lower colorectal cancer screening completion rates among individuals aged 45 to 49 years compared with usual care. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05275530.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Study in Outpatient Medicine using Nudges to Improve Sleep (SOMNUS): study protocol for an 18-month factorial, cluster-randomized trial to increase guideline-concordant treatment of insomnia in primary care

  Trials · 2025-12-23

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Guidelines support cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. However, the most widely prescribed treatments are pharmacological sedatives referred to as "Z-drugs," which are not recommended as first-line or for long-term use. The Study in Outpatient Medicine Using Nudges to Improve Sleep (SOMNUS) is an 18-month, factorial, cluster-randomized trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral interventions that nudge primary care clinicians to provide guideline-concordant treatment for patients with insomnia by facilitating CBT-I use and discouraging Z-drug orders. METHODS: The SOMNUS trial takes place at Northwestern Medicine, an academic health system located in and around Chicago, IL, USA, and will enroll 444 primary care clinicians working in 64 outpatient clinics. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, clinicians will be clinic-cluster-randomized to receive one of two nudges embedded in the electronic health record (EHR), their combination, or neither. The first nudge sets the default dispense quantity for new Z-drug orders to 10 pills with no refills. The second nudge is a just-in-time prompt with a one-click option to align orders with guidelines and requires clinicians to enter a justification if prompt recommendations are not followed. The primary outcome is the change in encounter-level Z-drug pill count from the 18 months before through the 18 months after the intervention period begins. Secondary outcomes will assess CBT-I referrals, monthly Z-drug pill count, Z-drug treatment duration, and benzodiazepine pill count. DISCUSSION: The SOMNUS trial will use EHR-integrated behavioral nudges that aim to increase guideline-concordant treatment of insomnia in primary care. Results can inform scalable approaches to improve insomnia treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06640023. Prospectively Registered on October 15 2024.

  PublisherDOI

• Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of the Novel Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitor CHF-6333 for the Inhaled Treatment of Bronchiectasis

  Journal of Medicinal Chemistry · 2025-11-27

  article

  The inhibitors of neutrophil elastase (NE) have long attracted interest for the treatment of respiratory diseases. We report the breakthrough of a new potent, selective NE inhibitor with a 24 h duration of action: CHF-6333, is currently undergoing clinical studies for the inhaled treatment of bronchiectasis (BE). The story of the discovery project to identify novel small molecules that inhibit extracellular elastase in the lung with prolonged activity is described. Medicinal chemistry investigation, supported by docking studies, led to N-quaternary compounds with an in vitro profile suitable for inhalatory administration. Compound 15 emerged from in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies, also showing safety and no off-target effects in vitro. Salt screening of different counterions, in conjunction with in vivo local irritancy testing, aided in the selection of compound 15-xinafoate (CHF-6333). Efficacy in a lung injury model and no findings in non-GLP toxicity studies promoted CHF-6333 as a clinical candidate.

  PublisherDOI

• A Megastudy of Behavioral Interventions to Increase Voter Registration Ahead of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

  2025-12-01

  articleOpen access

  In the United States, in nearly all cases, one must register in order to vote—yet, a substantial portion of the eligible electorate remains unregistered. Despite this, relatively little is known about how to increase the likelihood that a voter registers. Here, we tested the impact of 10 expert-crowdsourced, theoretically-based psychological interventions on a sample of eligible, yet unregistered, U.S. voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election (N = 12,896). Eight of the interventions increased intentions to vote, and five led individuals to click on the voter registration website. Escalating Commitment, which sequentially employed several social pressure strategies, was the strongest intervention across these outcomes. However, none of the interventions had a significant effect on actual voter registration or voter turnout. The results highlight a substantial disconnect between voters’ intentions and their ultimate behaviors. We discuss potential structural and psychological barriers that undermine the translation of intent into action.

  PublisherDOI

• Persistence of Social Norms Feedback on Postsurgery Opioid Prescribing Behavior

  JAMA Health Forum · 2025-01-31 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial evaluates the persistence of prescribing guideline-recommended postoperative opioids 1 year after intervention cessation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Video and Infographic Messages From Primary Care Physicians and Influenza Vaccination Rates

  JAMA Network Open · 2025-08-13 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Influenza vaccination coverage in the US is low, due largely to vaccine hesitancy. Personalized messages from trusted physicians may raise vaccination rates. Objective: To evaluate the effects of physician-created videos and infographics containing physician photographs on influenza vaccination rates. Design, Setting, and Participants: This 3-arm randomized clinical trial included patients from 6 months to older than 65 years of age served by 21 primary care physicians in 21 practices at UCLA Health who were listed in the electronic health record as not receiving influenza vaccination between October 31, 2023, and April 1, 2024. Intervention: Patients within each physician patient population were randomized to receive usual care or a physician-created video or an infographic with their physician's photograph encouraging receipt of influenza vaccinations. Primary care physicians used a suggested script to create a brief video with their smartphone or a video conference recording, or an infographic containing their photograph and a similar script was created, both encouraging patients to receive influenza vaccinations. The video or infographic was sent via the patient portal up to 3 times (October, November, and December). Main Outcomes and Measures: All analyses used the evaluable patient population. The primary outcome was end-of-season influenza vaccination rates by Aril 1, 2024. A secondary outcome was timely vaccination by December 31, 2023. Results: Among 22 233 patients, 3200 were children younger than 18 years (14.4%), 14 704 were adults 18 to 64 years of age (66.1%), and 4329 were adults 65 years or older (19.5%); 13 973 (62.8%) were female. Overall, 18 878 patients (84.9%) had private insurance. The rates of influenza vaccination across the entire study population by April 1, 2024, were 3479 of 7417 (46.9%) for usual care, 3557 of 7410 (48.0%) for the video arm, and 3518 of 7406 (47.5%) for the infographic arm. Neither intervention had significantly higher rates of vaccination than usual care (adjusted risk ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.00-1.06] for the video group; adjusted risk ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.99-1.06] for the infographic group). In the post hoc analysis, children in both intervention arms had higher vaccination rates by April 1, 2024: 618 of 1058 children in the video group (58.4%) (P < .001) and 598 of 1085 children in the infographics group (55.1%), each compared with 576 of 1057 (54.5%) in the usual care group (P = .04). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, neither physician-created videos nor infographics increased influenza overall vaccination rates by April 1, 2024. However, among children, both interventions were effective by end of influenza season. Messages personalized by physicians may represent a potential strategy to improve influenza vaccination among children, but further innovations are needed across the entire age spectrum. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06062264.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A Megastudy of Behavioral Interventions to Increase Voter Registration Ahead of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

  2025-12-01

  articleOpen access

  In the United States, in nearly all cases, one must register in order to vote—yet, a substantial portion of the eligible electorate remains unregistered. Despite this, relatively little is known about how to increase the likelihood that a voter registers. Here, we tested the impact of 10 expert-crowdsourced, theoretically-based psychological interventions on a sample of eligible, yet unregistered, U.S. voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election (N = 12,896). Eight of the interventions increased intentions to vote, and five led individuals to click on the voter registration website. Escalating Commitment, which sequentially employed several social pressure strategies, was the strongest intervention across these outcomes. However, none of the interventions had a significant effect on actual voter registration or voter turnout. The results highlight a substantial disconnect between voters’ intentions and their ultimate behaviors. We discuss potential structural and psychological barriers that undermine the translation of intent into action.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Distinguishing Two Dimensions of Subjective Uncertainty

  NSF · $558k · 2014–2019

Frequent coauthors

• Noah J. Goldstein

  University of California, Los Angeles

  54 shared

• Jeffrey A. Linder

  Northwestern University

  40 shared

• Daniella Meeker

  Linde (United States)

  38 shared

• Jason N. Doctor

  University of Southern California

  38 shared

• Mark W. Friedberg

  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

  38 shared

• Stephen D. Persell

  Northwestern University

  30 shared

• Robert H. Brook

  28 shared

• Marcia M. Russell

  University of California, Los Angeles

  28 shared

Education

• Ph.D., M.A., Psychology

  Stanford University

  1994

• A.B., Economics and Psychology

  University of California at Berkeley

  1989

Awards & honors

• Harold Williams Chair and Professor of Management at UCLA An…