JLGC Seminar 2022 report – Applying Behavioural Science in Japan and the UK: Supporting Public Health Outcomes

Activities and Events

This online event was held on 9 November 2022.

JLGC Seminar 2022 banner

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of public health has never been more apparent. In order to support public health outcomes, local governments around the world have been exploring the opportunities created by behavioural science approaches applied to public policy.  Behavioural scientists have worked with local government colleagues to apply a number of key frameworks, including nudge theory and the Behaviour Change Wheel (Michie et al, 2011) to achieve public health outcomes from increasing uptake of health screening to encouraging health protective behaviours (e.g. hand hygiene and social distancing during the pandemic).

This year JLGC hosted its annual seminar in collaboration with the UK Behavioural Science and Public Health Network (BSPHN). Experts from Japan and the UK discussed their leading work on various programmes, such as the creation of nudge units in various Japanese local governments and BSPHN’s collaborations across the health system to establish regional communities of practice across England.

Speakers and panellists (presentations in links as PDF)

  • Hirokazu Tsuda, President, PolicyGarage (non-profit organisation for Behavioural Insights and Evidence-Based Policy Making) 
  • Professor Jim McManus, Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council; President, UK Association of Directors of Public Health 
  • Dr Tim Chadborn, Head of Behavioural Insights and Evaluation Lead at the UK Department of Health and Social Care; Consultant for World Health Organisation HQ
  • Dr Kurenai Takebayashi, Director of Public Health, Kamitosan and Mutsu Health Centres, Aomori Prefectural Government  
  • Yuta Takahashi, Director, Yokohama Behavioural insights and Design Team (YBiT)
  • Dr Michelle Constable, Head of Behaviour Change Unit, Hertfordshire County Council; Chair, Behavioural Science and Public Health Network 
  • Dr Paul Chadwick, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London
  • Richard Vize, Public Policy Media (moderator) 

Keywords: behavioural science, public health, COVID-19, nudge theory