Nudging communication for students at risk: experimental evidence from an Italian university

Keywords

Statistical learning
Code:
14/2026
Title:
Nudging communication for students at risk: experimental evidence from an Italian university
Date:
Monday 9th February 2026
Author(s):
Agasisti, T.; Cannistrà, M.; Paganoni, A.M.
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Abstract:
To address the dropout issue in an Italian university, this research deals with stimulating at-risk students to enroll in tutoring services. Students with a predicted dropout risk are assigned to different nudging communication treatments via email through a rigorous randomized controlled trial. Findings highlight that messages based on a “social comparison” nudge obtains positive and statistically significant effects to increase students’ propensity towards attending tutoring services.