UK's ESRC Funds Two New Units Studying Human Behaviour

In the UK, government-funded public body the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has announced a £17m investment, to establish two new bodies and address major societal challenges via research into human behaviour.

The ESRC provides funding and support for research and training in the social sciences, and says understanding human behaviour will help the UK respond to major global challenges, including: climate change and environmental sustainability; tackling major health, wellbeing and social care challenges; emerging trends or new markets and the economy; and the security and resilience of the country.

From this latest investment, £10m will be used to establish Behaviour Research UK (BR-UK); a new hub to connect stakeholders and drive innovation, led by Professor Linda Bauld of The University of Edinburgh and Professor Susan Michie of UCL. The other £7m will be used to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviours (CENTRE-UB), led by Professor Jessica Woodhams of the University of Birmingham, with local, national and international partners from across the public and private sector.

CENTRE-UB will develop a 'cohort' of early career researchers able to pursue a career in applied behavioural research within and outside of academia; while offering a training and development programme for researchers in government and other sectors that accelerates the use of behavioural research findings and methods in local and national decision-making.

BR-UK includes representatives from academia, government and business from the four nations of the UK. It will facilitate evidence-based decision making through 'high-impact research' that meets the needs of policymakers, industry, and civil society. Combined, these two investments will deliver the 'National Capability in Behavioural Research' programme.

ESRC Executive Chair Stian Westlake (pictured) comments: 'Successfully addressing society's challenges requires a deep understanding of how and why people, organisations and groups behave the way they do. Ranging from how individuals live, work and make critical life choices, to behaviours that enable or hamper innovation and productivity across communities, businesses and the economy. Behavioural research was critical to the UK's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and our ambition is to build on that legacy'.

Web site: www.ukri.org .