The recipients, both from the Stockholm School of Economics, have been awarded the prize for "their joint and influential works in the field of behavioral economics".

Ellingsen and Johannesson are leading researchers in the field of behavioral economics, a cutting-edge research area in the intersection between economics and psychology. Their research includes both purely theoretical contributions and empirical studies based on controlled experiments. In a series of joint studies, they have shown how the traditional “economic man” assumptions in economic theory in many cases need to be supplemented with non-monetary considerations such as a desire for norm compliance and social esteem.

The prize will be awarded at a ceremony at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in May 2015.

The Söderberg Prize, founded in 1986, is awarded by the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation and the Torsten Söderberg Foundation. The prize is awarded every four years in economic sciences, every four years in law, and every second year in medicine.