Behaviour Change Conference 2025 co-organized and hosted by NSPH-NOVA, with CHRC support
From April 1–3, the National School of Public Health (NSPH-NOVA), in partnership with the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London (UCL), hosted the Behaviour Change Conference 2025 in Lisbon. This internationally renowned conference, organized by CHRC researchers Marta Marques and Cristina Godinho, marked the first time the conference was held outside the UK.
The event brought together over 400 participants from 35 countries, including leading experts in behavioural science applied to health and sustainability. Attendees represented academia, business, public institutions, and non-governmental organizations, fostering a unique space for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.
Key themes of the conference included:
- Designing, testing, and evaluating public health programs and policies using behavioural science;
- Building capacity among professionals and policymakers for implementing effective behaviour change initiatives;
- Advancements in behavioural science theories and methodologies;
- Integrating behavioural science into digital technology development.
During the event, NSPH-NOVA officially launched the BE-Change Knowledge Centre —a pioneering initiative in Portugal aimed at advancing the science and practice of behaviour change to improve public health outcomes. The centre will foster multidisciplinary, evidence-based approaches to support precise and effective behaviour change strategies.
Marta Marques, co-chair of the Organizing and Scientific Committees, highlighted the strategic significance of the event:
“The Behaviour Change Conference, traditionally hosted by UCL’s Centre for Behaviour Change led by Professor Susan Michie, is the main international event in this field. This year marks the first time it has been co-hosted outside the UK, reflecting the deep collaboration between our institutions. The launch of the BE-Change Knowledge Centre further strengthens this partnership and places NSPH-NOVA and the CHRC at the forefront of global behavioural science research and knowledge translation. The conference was a success, and plans are already in motion for a jointly organized Behaviour Change Conference in 2026."