# Behavioural science strategist joins DonorVoice

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/03/09/behavioural-science-strategist-joins-donorvoice/
- Published: 2016-03-09T13:56:50+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Experience and relationship company DonorVoice has appointed Kiki Koutmeridou,
PhD, to advise its fundraising clients on making the most of behavioural science.**

It claims that she is “the only behavioural scientist solely focused on the field
of charitable giving”. The subject has featured in several conferences and events
for fundraisers over the past few years, but Koutmeridou argues that the sector 
has barely scratched the surface in applying this knowledge base.

Koutmeridou, who has an Msc in Neuroscience and a PhD in Cognitive Psychology, said:

## Advertisement

> “The big danger is thinking that reading a book or two, or attending a conference
> session by an unqualified, non-practitioner, rehashing long published research
> completely out of context is even remotely sufficient.”

A [speaker at the 2014 National Fundraising Convention](http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/blog/the-power-of-pride/),
she will be helping DonorVoice, which specialises in providing a “proven and empirical
process to measure and manage the donor experience”, in supporting charities take
key fundraising questions from “what is the underlying motivation for my donors 
giving, and why?” to “should the ask go from lower to higher or vice versa – and
why?”. The emphasis of course is on the ‘why’. Too many fundraising decisions are
based on gut instinct or analysis of limited data.

## Win a free appeal audit

![Kiki Koutmeridou, PhD](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2016/03/kiki-koutmeridou.
jpg)

Kiki Koutmeridou, PhD

To mark Koutmeridou’s appointment, DonorVoice is offering the chance for three charities
to receive a free audit of a fundraising appeal based on her expertise.

 

DonorVoice’s Charlie Hulme says that the audits on offer are not to be confused 
with the “industry standard ‘creative’ audit of subjective and personal preferences(
that are almost always wrong)”. Instead of “we think” or “we like” the selected 
charities will receive a “[scientific audit with every change backed by evidence](https://www.whitehat-seo.co.uk/website-audit),
and an explanation of why”.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these three audits, DonorVoice is [inviting applications](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/03/09/behavioural-science-strategist-joins-donorvoice/kk**********@***********ce.com).
The winners will be selected at random from the first 50 submissions made.

 

_Main image: [hand reaches for why? button](http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-352278656/stock-vector-why-button-presses-hand-pop-art-retro-style-knowledge-and-issues-education-and-science.html?src=wUXVJGSUZcDvXD6dORn_uQ-1-5)
by Studiostoks on Shutterstock.com_

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