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Gabriella Stuart, Behaviour Change MSc
Who did you find inspiring at UCL and why?
There are so many inspiring people at UCL, and not least the Centre for Behaviour Change so it is difficult to just mention one. But if I am allowed to mention two, I must say Susan Michie and Danielle D’Lima. Susan, for her extraordinary contributions to the field of Behavioural Science, which have and continue to change the way practitioners all around the world approach important challenges facing society. And Danielle, both for her excellence in research and her great qualities as a Teaching Lead for the MSc. I have never had such an engaged and supportive lecturer and supervisor, neither before or after my studies at the programme.
What is your fondest memory of your time here?
For me, the entire experience of studying at UCL was valuable in many ways. In addition to being taught by leading academics in the field, I was fortunate to be part of a cohort that included a diverse mix of individuals from various backgrounds. Everyone was supportive and enjoyed collaborating and learning from each other.
Tell us a bit about the work you're doing now...
I currently work at the Public Health Agency of Sweden with the application of behavioural science in projects and activities related to the agency’s public health work. I am also a part of a team that is responsible of sharing and integrating methods and frameworks from Behavioural Science, both internally and externally.
How did your UCL degree help you get to where you are now?
My degree in Behaviour Change determined the trajectory of my career and equipped me with knowledge and skills at the absolute forefront of the field of Behavioural Science, both when it comes to research and practical application of taught methods. This has really been beneficial in my previous roles as a consultant and advisor to clients in private, non-profit and public sectors and has offered me valuable experiences of working in innovative projects on a wide range of topics, such as sustainable mobility, mental health, energy consumption and healthcare.
What have been your career highlights?
During my studies at UCL I remember setting a goal of working with the equivalent to Cancer Research UK in Sweden (where I am from and live) and to lead a behaviour change project for them. Fast forward three years later and I presented the results from the first, and to this day, only project that has used the Behaviour Change Wheel in the Swedish context to develop interventions that promote healthy food choices among consumers. Another highlight has definitely been working as a research assistant at the CBC and with the Human Behaviour-Change Project.
What would be your advice for current students?
My advice would be to not feel any pressure to decide on one particular area or topic (e.g. public health, sustainability, transport) to pivot towards during your studies provided if you, like I, was not clear on this from the get go. The potential applications of Behavioural Science are vast and there are so many areas and topics to explore and work with as a practitioner in the field. Choose the modules that intuitively appeal to you, and consider options at other departments at UCL. For example, I took elective modules in Public Policy as well as Judgment and Decision making, which proved to be of great value in my future work.