WHO Names UCL Centre as Global Behavioural Science Partner

WHO said the partnership will help strengthen its ability to apply behavioural and implementation sciences across a wide range of public health programmes, policies and technical initiatives.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London (UCL) as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Applying Behavioural and Implementation Sciences to Improve Health for the period 2026 to 2030. The appointment recognizes the Centre's international leadership in behavioural science research and its work translating scientific evidence into practical solutions for health, social and environmental challenges.

WHO said the partnership will help strengthen its ability to apply behavioural and implementation sciences across a wide range of public health programmes, policies and technical initiatives. The collaboration is expected to support the development of new tools, guidance materials and training programmes that can help countries improve the effectiveness of health interventions.

Behavioural Science Seen as Key to Tackling Health Challenges

Health experts increasingly recognize that many public health challenges are influenced by human behaviour. Issues such as antimicrobial resistance, climate-related health risks, maternal health and disease prevention often depend not only on medical solutions but also on people's actions, decisions and daily habits. Behavioural science helps researchers and policymakers understand why people behave in certain ways, while implementation science focuses on how proven interventions can be successfully introduced and sustained in real-world settings.

WHO believes combining these two disciplines can help governments and health systems deliver programmes more effectively, increase public participation and achieve better health outcomes on a larger scale. Professor Susan Michie, Director of the Centre for Behaviour Change, said the designation creates an opportunity to work closely with WHO in turning research evidence into practical approaches that support stronger policies and improved health outcomes around the world.

Focus on Training, Research and Global Knowledge Sharing

Over the next five years, the Collaborating Centre will provide technical expertise, support the co-development of practical resources and help deliver training and knowledge-sharing activities for health professionals and policymakers. Professor Fabiana Lorencatto, Co-Director of the Centre for Behaviour Change, said the partnership will focus on ensuring behavioural science evidence can be applied in ways that are practical, scalable and effective across a variety of public health settings.

WHO officials say the collaboration will also strengthen the organization's ability to support countries facing complex health challenges where understanding human behaviour plays a central role in achieving success. According to Elena Altieri, WHO's Global Technical Lead for Behavioural Insights, the partnership will help integrate behavioural sciences more consistently across WHO's work and expand support for partners seeking evidence-based approaches to improve public health outcomes. The initiative will contribute to WHO's Fourteenth General Programme of Work and support global efforts to advance universal health coverage while accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.