The behaviour change cluster provides a platform for research into the development, evaluation and translation of public health interventions to help people change their behaviour to improve their health.

Based on national public health priorities, our research focuses on physical activity, diet, risky behaviours such as smoking and drinking alcohol, and health care habits. We have strong links to the other Fuse research clusters to support behaviour change in early life and adolescence and later life; to explore the relationship between behaviour change and inequalities; and to translate findings for our policy and practice partners in the NHS, local government and other public, private and voluntary organisations.

We collaborate with the NIHR School for Public Health Research through their Alcohol and Ageing themes, and the Public Health Research Consortium (PHRC).

The cluster objectives are to:

• Advance methods for the development, evaluation and translation of public health behaviour change interventions.
• Use and share the findings from studies within the cluster to advance the field of behaviour change research.
• Develop the evidence base for arranging and tailoring interventions for individuals and the wider community.
• Develop interventions to maintain healthy behaviour changes, in particular leading to weight loss among overweight people who have shown initial weight loss.
• Generate understanding about how unhealthy behaviours can best be changed in disadvantaged populations, including the role of public engagement strategies. 
• Develop targeted digital interventions to promote healthy behaviour in key groups, including older adults.

Contact

Dr Angela Rodrigues - Co-lead, Northumbria University
Email: angela.rodrigues@northumbria.ac.uk

Dr Emma Giles - Co-lead, Teesside University
Email: e.giles@tees.ac.uk