A new blueprint for behaviour change interventions to improve public health and safety

Description of impact

Behavioural change for health (e.g., smoking, alcohol use) or safety (e.g., driving) saves countless lives. Research conducted at the University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with University College London, has transformed the way in which behavioural change interventions are developed, reported, and interpreted. The research has created a standardised, shared taxonomy to describe complex interventions used to tackle behaviour change, providing a practical approach to plan, facilitate and evaluate behavioural change interventions to improve public health and safety. From this, the research team has developed a range of new training resources, which are now used widely to help healthcare practitioners, both in the UK and overseas, to understand and implement the new standard, and to increase the effectiveness of their practice. The research has also underpinned behaviour change in food and transport safety.

Outcomes to Date / Future Developments

The development of a standardised, shared classification system to describe the complex interventions used to tackle behaviour change is key to translating scientific knowledge into improved public health. The research by Aberdeen and UCL has transformed the field of behavioural science by creating a new and shared standard to report behavioural change techniques, which has been widely implemented resulting in more effective practice. The team has developed new training resources to help healthcare practitioners – both in the UK and overseas – to understand and use the new standard. The research has also influenced techniques for behavioural change beyond healthcare, specifically underpinning developments in food and transport safety.

Impact status	Impact Completed (Open)
Impact date	2010 → 2013
Category of impact	Societal