Evidence-Based Management

People working in evidence-based management can sometimes feel like they are swimming against the tide. But they are part of something much larger.In this episode we hear from science journalist Helen Pearson about her new book Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works.The conversation steps back from evidence-based management to look at the much wider evidence movement that has been unfolding across disciplines over the past few decades. From medicine and social policy to policing, conservation and business, researchers and practitioners have been grappling with the same question: how do we know what really works?Helen traces the origins of the modern evidence movement, beginning with the pioneers of evidence-based medicine in the late twentieth century, and explains how ideas such as randomized trials and systematic reviews spread across many other fields.The discussion explores:The origins of evidence-based medicine and the role of pioneers like Iain Chalmers and David SackettHow ideas from medicine influenced other domains including policy, policing and managementWhy early advocates of evidence often worked in isolation across different disciplinesWhy evidence-based management faces particular challenges in bridging research and practiceThe current “crisis of evidence” and the forces shaping trust in science todayWhy teaching evidence literacy and critical thinking may be one of the most powerful tools for the futureHelen also shares practical advice for anyone wanting to think more critically about claims and evidence in everyday life.For students and teachers of evidence-based management, the episode offers a reminder that they are part of a much broader international movement seeking to improve decisions through better use of evidence.Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works will be published in April 2026.Host: Karen PlumGuest: Helen Pearson, Senior Editor, Nature, Honorary Professor of Practice, UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies Click here for more details about Helen's book.Contact:Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management

Preston Davis, a management professor and venture practitioner who evaluates startup pitches. Eric Barends, director at the Center for Evidence-Based Management who applies research to decisions. Denise Rousseau, a Carnegie Mellon professor with decades studying organizational decision-making. They discuss sitting with uncertainty, how discomfort shows up when using evidence, teaching ambiguity, testing ideas with pilots and experiments, and reputational risks around honest doubt.

Discover how aggregating evidence can significantly reduce bias and uncertainty in decision-making. Explore the power of Bayesian thinking, where beliefs shift as new evidence emerges. Learn the importance of questioning the strength of gathered evidence and considering alternative explanations. Understand the human struggle with probabilities and how it can lead to biases. Dive into practical examples from real-world applications and see how framing beliefs as probabilities can enhance your decision-making process.

Denise Rousseau, a leading professor at Carnegie Mellon known for her work in evidence-based management, joins organizational psychology expert Rob Briner and Eric Barends from the Center for Evidence-Based Management. They discuss the importance of identifying the right problems before rushing to solutions. The panel highlights how critical thinking and AI can enhance decision-making, but caution against biases that cloud judgment. They stress cultivating evidence-based practices through local influence, fostering supportive environments to promote collective insight.

Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Management, and Denise Rousseau, H J Heinz University Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, dive into the importance of systematic searches in academic literature. They discuss translating managerial terms into academic constructs, the role of peer review in ensuring study quality, and how AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance search effectiveness. The duo also contrasts quick AI searches with rigorous methods necessary for high-stakes decisions, providing listeners with practical tips for navigating academic databases.

Join Eric Barends, Denise Rousseau, Jonny Gifford, and Steven ten Have as they dive into the essence of building evidence-based management capacity. Barends outlines three critical levels of influence: individual, peer, and organizational. Rousseau emphasizes the importance of transparency and adequate metrics for continuous learning. Gifford discusses how CIPD enhances HR practices through research. Ten Have highlights the role of data in challenging assumptions, advocating for smarter decision-making in management.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management, focuses on the importance of evaluating outcomes to enhance decision-making. Denise Rousseau, H. J. Heinz University Professor, highlights the value of problem definition before action. Stefanie Nickel, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Sandoz, shares insights from randomized trials, illustrating how simple interventions improved psychological safety. Together, they advocate for routine assessments to foster organizational learning and elevate decision quality.

Join Eric Barends, David Creelman, Stefanie Nickel, and Jonny Gifford as they dive into the complexities of incorporating evidence into decision-making. Eric discusses how to translate research findings into actionable steps, while David emphasizes the importance of early stakeholder buy-in to prevent implementation failures. Stefanie shares insights from Sandoz's trials to enhance psychological safety, demonstrating that simple prompts can make a big difference. Together, they explore the interplay between data and practical application, urging a focus on clarity and impactful interventions.

Eric Barends, Managing Director at the Center for Evidence-Based Management, discusses the importance of understanding both practitioner evidence and stakeholder emotions. Denise Rousseau from Carnegie Mellon emphasizes that stakeholder opinions reflect social realities. Steven ten Have analyzes effective stakeholder grouping for balanced decision-making, while Dr. Lisa J Griffiths shares successful partnership examples with Aboriginal leaders. The group underscores the ethical responsibility of engaging stakeholders early to uncover hidden harms and reshape project goals.

Eric Barends, an expert in evidence-based decision making, joins Denise Rousseau, a leading organizational behavior researcher, Dr. Lisa J Griffiths, CEO of OzChild, and Steven ten Have, a professor of strategy and change. They discuss the vital importance of engaging stakeholders to inform better decision-making processes. From identifying power dynamics among stakeholders to the risks of overlooking their input, they emphasize the need for respectful communication and building relationships ahead of changes. Stakeholders can either enrich or obstruct decisions, showing the necessity of listening to diverse viewpoints.