Visit our website for further details of our work:  PRUBehSci ‌

The aim of the NIHR Policy Research Unit (PRU) in Behavioural and Social Sciences is to inform government policy on health, preventing ill-health and health systems. We use behavioural science evidence, theory and methods to support decision-making.

Established initially in 2019 and refunded in 2024 for a further five years, the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences is a hosted by Newcastle University in collaboration with:

• University College London
• University of Warwick
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• University of Bedfordshire

We also have a collaborating network of experts in public health and public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE).  We bring together researchers with a range of disciplinary backgrounds and expertise, to support policy makers in policy design, development, evaluation and implementation. We work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and in collaboration with other Policy Research Units. This enables us to provide the best evidence and advice, in a timely way, for the benefit of the public and patients.

Professor Emily Oliver (Newcastle University) is the Director of the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences.

This project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)  [Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences (project reference NIHR206124)]. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily
those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.