Learning & Training Resources

Events, Courses & Reading Lists

On this page we have listed events and learning resources that may be of interest if you want to expand your knowledge of behavioural science and it's uses. Some of this information is produced by members of BR-UK as part of their own bodies of work and some are not.  Please note that these outputs are not directly funded by BR-UK unless noted. 

We have included a small number of briefing and research papers that may of interest to those working in behavioural sciences. We aim to make sure as many of these papers are open access as possible. There are also links to toolkits, upcoming events & conferences in addition to links to post-graduate and/or other educational courses that may be of interest to anyone wishing to extend their knowledge. 

Below you will also find links to our AI Repository which s designed to help you navigate the opportunities and challenges of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in behavioural research. 

BR-UK Capability Building Programme on Public Engagement

The Behavioural Research UK (BR-UK) Leadership Hub aims to build national capability for behavioural research that is more responsive to addressing societal challenges. One commitment of BR-UK is ensuring that Public Engagement is embedded in our research processes.

The Capability Building Programme on Public Engagement in Behavioural Research aims to help behavioural researchers advance their knowledge and skills on different approaches in planning, designing, and evaluating public engagement in behavioural research.

For 2026, BR-UK is inviting you to join the following free online training courses. All training courses will be delivered synchronously online via Zoom and will be composed of a mix of short presentations, practical hands-on sessions, and group work.

We are currently accepting applications for the following training courses until 20 March 2026.

BR-UK Training Session (Click for more information)Dates
Public Engagement in Research and Policy15 and 29 April 2026, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Intersectionality in Public Engagement13 and 27 May 2026, 1:00pm-2:30pm
Knowledge Mobilisation10 and 24 June 2026, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Writing Policy Briefs as Tools for Knowledge Mobilisation7 and 21 October 2026, 1:00pm-3:00pm

 
Tool

Applying behavioural insights to energy policy: A tool kit for practitioners

From: the behaviouralist, Behavioural Insights Platform

This toolkit is intended for policymakers, civil servants, and professionals who design programmes to reduce emissions of citizens and businesses.

Energy programmes can fail because citizens and businesses might respond to them in unexpected ways. This toolkit will help you consider how people could respond to your programme and increase the likelihood that it will achieve its intended outcome.

The Human Behaviour Change Project (including the APRICOT Project)

Centre for Behaviour Change

The Human Behaviour Change Project (HBCP) and the Advancing Prevention Research in Cancer through Ontology Tools (APRICOT) Project are developing the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology and associated tools and resources to be used in reporting research; linking datasets and synthesising evidence; and AI/ML algorithms to predict intervention outcomes in novel scenarios.

Developing Behaviourally Informed Communications & the interactive supporting workbook BICI: Behaviourally Informed Communications Initiative

Public Health Wales

This "grab-and-go" guide is designed for individuals aiming to influence behaviour through effective communications, particularly within policy and intervention development. By applying a behavioural lens, it enhances the potential to achieve policy goals and improve service quality.

RRI Prompts and Practice Cards

The Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with the Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub has developed a set of “high level” Responsible Innovation (RI) Prompts and Practice Cards. These cards highlight 16 different aspects of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) that may be relevant to researchers and innovators.


Organiser

Centre for Behaviour Change

Behaviour Change Interventions: Introductory Principles and Practice

11 May 2026

Online

An introduction to key concepts and tools in behaviour change. Self-directed learning over 4 weeks, hosted on FutureLearn, with moderation and support throughout from our course leads.

BR-UK & Centre-UB

Building Capability in Behavioural Research 2026

June 30th, 2026

University of Birmingham

The Conference will convene an interdisciplinary community of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers for a dynamic programme of discussion, exchange, and collaboration to build new networks and strengthen existing ones. The conference will include interactive sessions, keynote talks, and networking forums.

Centre for Behaviour Change

Behaviour Change Interventions: Introductory Principles and Practice

5 October 2026

Online

An introduction to key concepts and tools in behaviour change. Self-directed learning over 4 weeks, hosted on FutureLearn, with moderation and support throughout from our course leads.

 


TitleAuthorFormat
Research Engagement with Policy Makers: a practical guide to writing policy briefs.Antonopoulou V, Chadwick, P, McGee O, Sniehotta F.F, Lorencatto F, Meyer C, O’Donnell A, Lecouturier J, Kelly M, & Michie, S.Preprint Briefing Paper: Open Access via the Open Science Framework (2021)
Participatory systems mapping for complex energy policy evaluationBarbrook-Johnson, P., & Penn, A.Evaluation, 27(1), 57–79.
Behaviourally Informed Communications Initiative (BICI): Case StudiesCline, A., & Gould, A.PDF report:  Open Access. Further Public Health Wales' publications can be found here.
System Effects: A Hybrid Methodology for Exploring the Determinants of Food In/Security.

Craven, L. K.

 

Research Article: Open access

Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 107(5), 1011–1027. (2021)

The Behavioural and Social Sciences Ontology (BSSO) FoundryHastings j, Zhang L, Schenk P, West R, Gehrke B, Hogan W.R, Chorpita B, Johnston M, Marques M.M, Webb T.L, Baird H.M, Crombez G, Michie S.Open Letter: Open Access via Wellcome Open Research (2024)
The Behaviour Change Wheel: A Guide to Designing InterventionsMichie, S, Atkins, L, West, RBook - purchase required (or access via your institutional library)
The Behaviour Change Wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventionsMichie S, van Stralen M, West R.

Journal Article: Open Access

Implementation Science. 2011;6:42

The Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (v1) of 93 hierarchically-clustered techniques: building an international consensus for the reporting of behaviour change interventionMichie S, Richardson M, Johnston M, Abraham C, Francis J, Hardeman W, Eccles MP, Cane J, Wood CE.

Journal Article: Open Access

Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 46(1), 81-95 (2013)

Improving Health and Wellbeing: A Guide to Using Behavioural Science in Policy and Practice.West, R, Gould, A.Interactive PDF: Open Access
Achieving behaviour change A guide for national government.West, R. Michie, S, Chadwick, P, Atkins, L, Lorencatto, F.PDF report:  Open Access

Course/InstitutionSummary

Behaviour Change MSc

University College London

This postgraduate degree in behaviour change centres around the systematic application of behaviour change theory and methods to design, implement and evaluate interventions, primarily using the Behaviour Change Wheel. This approach equips students to work in this emerging and exciting field to address social, health and environmental challenges.