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NIHR Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences

Using evidence, theory and methods from behavioural and social sciences to inform government policy on health, preventing ill-health and health systems

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit (PRU) in Behavioural and Social Sciences logo

1 August 2024

Key facts

Full title: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit (PRU) in Behavioural and Social Sciences

Funder: National Institute of Health Research 

Total amount awarded: £5,499,989.69

Start date: 2024 (established initially in 2019, refunded in 2024)

Duration: 5 years

Research Partners: Hosted by Newcastle University, in collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London, University of Bedfordshire, University of Warwick

CBC researchers: Professor Angel Chater (lead, Professor Susan Michie 2019-2022), Dr Fabiana Lorencatto, Dr Vivi Antonopoulou, Dr Alison McKinlay

Informing government policy

We aim to support policy makers on promoting health, preventing ill-health and enhancing health systems.

Applying behavioural and social science evidence, theory and methods

Objectives of our PRU are to:

  • increase and raise awareness of behavioural and social sciences utilisation in policy development, evaluation and implementation
  • use behavioural and social sciences methods to identify effective interventions that are also cost-effective and address key equality and diversity issues
  • address evidence gaps that are relevant to the DHSC and
  • develop capacity in interdisciplinary behavioural and social sciences policy research.

Working in partnership

In our PRU we bring together researchers with a range of disciplinary backgrounds and expertise, to support policy makers in policy design, development, evaluation and implementation related to behavioural and social sciences. We work closely with our partners at the Department of Health and Social Care and in collaboration with other Policy Research Units. This enables us to provide the best evidence and advice, in a timely way, for the benefit of the public and patients.

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