NIHR Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences. Funded by NIHR. We provide independent evidence and advice on behavioural and social science to inform policy. Directed by Prof @ejoliver.bsky.social https://behscipru.nihr.ac.ukhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mvmt6sfsoc25Continuing our recent dissemination activities, @amckinlay.bsky.social and @viviantonop.bsky.social Antonopoulou presented research from our Optimising Integrated Care Services for physical and mental health (OptICS) project at the @ehps.bsky.social conference. @ucl-cbc.bsky.social16 Sep 2026 09:28 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvmt6sfsoc25https://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mvhn4gedek2mOn Tuesday, Dr @laurajmcgowan.bsky.social and Dr @lesleyhall.bsky.social attended an event celebrating #NIHR20 @nihr.bsky.social in the North East and North Cumbria. They discussed our role in using the behavioural and social sciences to support policy at both national and regional levels.14 Sep 2026 07:56 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvhn4gedek2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mvhmms6rn22mLast week, several of our team presented work demonstrating the breadth of subjects we work on at #SSMPHEuroEpi2026 @socsocmed.bsky.social14 Sep 2026 07:47 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvhmms6rn22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mttnfaf3ik26In our new interview study, we explored the experiences of young people and adults affected by others' gambling. We wanted understand how these experiences could be integrated into harm prevention messaging. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12954-026-01513-y We identified three themes:24 Aug 2026 15:42 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttnfaf3ik26https://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mtld3pdcps27Our new paper looks at the link between populist-aligned views and how people engage with public health interventions - available via the link below! https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-026-28020-w21 Aug 2026 08:17 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtld3pdcps27https://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mrpnxgto3k2eInterested in virtual wards in Integrated Care Systems in England? Check out our new paper! 🔓 We investigated commissioners’ perceptions and experiences of implementing virtual wards in integrated care systems, focusing on implementation influences over time. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-026-14740-728 Jul 2026 14:51 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrpnxgto3k2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mmybmzzbzs25Interested in Integrated Care Systems and technology? Our new paper explores commissioners' views and experiences of implementing virtual wards in English Integrated care Systems. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-026-14740-7 @laurajmcgowan.bsky.social @beth-nichol.bsky.social @fsniehotta.bsky.social29 May 2026 09:59 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmybmzzbzs25https://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mk5hgid22c2nRead about our exciting visit earlier this year to @denpru-qm.bsky.social in their newsletter! [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 Apr 2026 07:10 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5hgid22c2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mk5hcj7dzs27On Tuesday, several of our researchers presented posters @ukphsci.bsky.social. Dr Eunice Adwubi showcased our work on the link between local-level economic productivity and health. Dr @laurajmcgowan.bsky.social outlined our study on the implementation of virtual wards in integrated care23 Apr 2026 07:08 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5hcj7dzs27https://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3miirudacas2iRead our new review out today! We looked into how individuals make the decision to travel abroad for invasive cosmetic and weight loss surgeries in a rapid review. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-026-01207-x02 Apr 2026 08:26 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3miirudacas2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mfp2y7upts2aCome and join the NIHR Policy Research Unit Behavioural and Social Sciences! We're a recruiting a Research Assistant/Research Fellow to be based @ucl-cbc.bsky.social. For more details - and to apply by Tuesday 3rd March - visit the link below: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?nPostingId=17111&nPostingTargetId=42077&id=Q1KFK026203F3VBQBLO8M8M07&LG=UK&languageSelect=UK&mask=ext25 Feb 2026 16:09 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfp2y7upts2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mdkpcnpu4c2pWe spent this week connecting with the @nihr.bsky.social Policy Research Units in Dementia and Neurodegeneration @denpru-qm.bsky.social and Policy Innovation and Evaluation @piru-lshtm.bsky.social. Read more about what we got up to on our LinkedIn page below: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:742230920633630720029 Jan 2026 11:40 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdkpcnpu4c2phttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mcwmcgntjk2eHave you ever travelled or considering travelling outside the UK for dental, bariatric, cosmetic, or surgical procedures? We want to hear from you! Have your say on how we conduct our research To show interest, please complete this short form: 👉 https://newcastlehealth.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_82eFE8VkW9g2yA621 Jan 2026 11:52 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcwmcgntjk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mcckferjkk2fHave you experienced both cardiovascular disease risk and mental health challenges? We're keen to hear from you. We're interviewing people to explore how integrated care can be improved. Find out more on the image, or click the link below: https://qualtricsxm58qqvslcm.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeOpNiCpC4RW8e213 Jan 2026 12:25 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcckferjkk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mbynq52dts2xInvolved in commissioning or delivering integrated care? We'd love to hear from you! We're conducting interviews are exploring how integrated care can be optimised for people with cardiovascular disease risk and mild-to-moderate mental health concerns. Register interest: shorturl.at/HF0gb09 Jan 2026 13:58 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbynq52dts2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3mbtdadwnnc2jFirst paper of 2026! In our study, we examined whether public health messages can encourage people to adopt protective behaviours, such as wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping distance, to reduce the spread of respiratory infections like COVID-19 and influenza. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-025-01296-607 Jan 2026 11:07 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbtdadwnnc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3m7mqvtkj3s2p⭐ New paper on pathways to nursing ⭐ Led by Dr @laurajmcgowan.bsky.social, we conducted qualitative interviews with prospective, current, and recent nursing students, as well as educational providers. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748925003165?via%3Dihub10 Dec 2025 09:33 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7mqvtkj3s2phttps://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3m62zco74vs24Interested in the commissioning and implementation of integrated care services? Read our new systematic review protocol! https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-025-02970-520 Nov 2025 14:50 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m62zco74vs24https://bsky.app/profile/nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social/post/3m5ypavxc5s27Our researchers Dr Fiona Graham and Dr @laurajmcgowan.bsky.social recently took part in Evidence Week in Parliament, sharing our latest research on the roll-out of Virtual Wards (aka Hospital@Home) in the NHS. Read about their experiences at the blog below: https://behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/bringing-virtual-wards-to-westminster-our-experience-at-evidence-week-2025/19 Nov 2025 16:45 +0000at://did:plc:bdvbave5rpb7we7wacqnzocp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5ypavxc5s27