Susan Michie

Hope to see you there. It will be a good one

👋 Meet Prof @susanmichie.bsky.social, the Director of @ucl-cbc.bsky.social!

In our latest Meet the Expert feature, Prof Michie reflects on what drew her to the field of behaviour change, what inspires her day-to-day, and the wisdom she’d pass on to her younger self.

👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...

💼 Exciting opportunity at BR-UK, UCL!
Collaborate across sectors to advance behavioural research with impact! We're looking for a senior/research fellow to join @susanmichie.bsky.social & the BR-UK team at UCL to lead national research & capability-building. Find out more & apply shorturl.at/FcSdx

Graphic announcing a UCL Centre for Behaviour Change job vacancy for Lecturer and Deputy Research Lead, with application deadline of 25 February.

📢 We're recruiting for a 'Lecturer and Deputy Research Lead' to join our management team.
We’re seeking an experienced researcher with expertise in behavioural science and research methods and a proven track record in leading projects.
👉 Find out more & apply by 25 Feb: www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...

4 ways the Trump administration undermined Americans' health last week YouTube video by Professor Christina Pagel

Four ways the Trump administration attacked population health last week

youtube.com/shorts/3arwa...

Greenland, Iceland, Iceberg, Greenberg, Goldberg, Hamberg, Hamberder, Covfefe, Arnold Palmer, Hannibal Lecter, Person, Woman, Man, Camera, TV, Giraffe, Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

Is Trump going to attack Greenland? It is hard to believe, but the administration seems to be building up to something

open.substack.com/pub/christin...

Innovative Initiatives Grants The EHPS Innovative Initiatives Grant is intended to support collaboration across EHPS countries and members in their research endeavours, for example through collaborative scoping work, protocol development, grant idea generation/drafting, knowledge exchange or research training. The aim is to create research synergies between EHPS members and achieve innovative outcomes that advance the field of health psychology. It is expected that the application is submitted by at least one EHPS member who is the grant coordinator. It is expected that the applicant(s) will work towards a specified deliverable and timeline, and will produce a brief report on their activity for the upcoming annual EHPS conference. One Innovative Initiatives Grant is available for a maximum of 5000 Euros. Application Deadline: Friday 6th March 2026

Apply by 6 March for the EHPS Innovative Initiatives Grant and receive up to 5000€ for a collaborative project. #HealthPsych #BehSci
ehps.net/innovative-i...

Roybal Center - Roybal Center At the Roybal Center, we’re redefining what’s possible for lifelong brain and body health.

Big news from the Michigan Roybal Center at @umkines.bsky.social: our website now has a Generative AI Behavioral Science Assistant (Maizey) trained on ontologies, the science of physical activity, the M2C2 ambulatory cognitive testing approach, and much more. Try Maizey out at roybal.umich.edu

very disappointing.

There is a code of conduct for Royal Society fellows - it's not a value judgement to say that Musk has contravened it!

see relevant bits of code and the Royal Society stated values below.

Graphic promoting the Behaviour Change Conference 2026. The top section includes the conference title “Behaviour Change Conference 2026: Health & Sustainability” and dates “17–19 June” with “Pre-conference day on 16 June” in smaller text. Below, large bold text reads “Last chance to submit your work!” and an orange banner states “Extended deadline: 7 January.” On the right, there is a circular photo of a speaker presenting at a podium in a lecture hall with flags and a screen in the background. Logos for UCL Centre for Behaviour Change and NOVA Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública appear at the bottom.

📢 Final call!
Submit your abstract or workshop proposal for the 2026 Behaviour Change Conference by 7 Jan (23:59 GMT).
🔗 www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...
Thanks to everyone who’s submitted so far! We look forward to building an inspiring and dynamic programme for #BCConf2026!
@susanmichie.bsky.social

Sweeping cuts are being made to the US childhood vaccine schedule The USA have made dramatic changes to the childhood vaccine schedule

RFKJr who has long been a campaigner against vaccines has announced the biggest change to US vaccine policy yet by announcing a cut of routine childhood vaccine vaccinations during childhood from 17 jabs to just 11. #HealthPolicy 🧵

📢 Join us for the Conceptualization, Measurement & Formalization – SIG Networking Event!
We’d love to chat and connect with you to share ideas and explore collaborations in health psychology.

🗓 Jan 22 | ⏰ 2:00–3:30 PM (GMT) | 💻 Online

Quote from Prof Leslie Gutman: "Our collaboration has shown how applied research can be a powerful force for good -transforming services, empowering students, and improving outcomes for young people."

We've partnered with Mental Health Innovations since 2020 to help improve digital mental health services for young people. Behaviour Change MSc students gain real-world experience while their research informs service design & the wider evidence base.
🔗 mentalhealthinnovations.org/news-and-inf...

Applications for our Behaviour Change MSc are now open for 2026/27 entry. You can find out more on the UCL website: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...

Graphic titled ‘2026 Dates for your diary’ from the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change. Lists training courses and conference dates: – Introductory course ‘Behaviour Change Interventions: Introductory Principles & Practice’ starting 12 Jan, 11 May and 5 Oct (four‑week self‑paced online). – Intermediate course ‘Applied Principles & Practice of Behaviour Change’ from 6–10 July (one‑week intensive online). – Advanced modules: 13 Oct Influencing Decision‑Making & Motivation; 15 Oct Achieving Behaviour Change through Communications; 20 Oct Behavioural Systems Mapping; 22 Oct Using AI to Improve Behavioural Research; 4 & 5 Nov Improving Methods for Selecting & Specifying Behaviour Change Techniques: Applying the BCTO; 12 Nov Co‑design (in‑person); date TBC Qualitative Research. – 2026 Behaviour Change Conference: 17–19 June with pre‑conference day on 16 June, in Lisbon and online.

Happy New Year from the CBC! 🎉
If you're new to behaviour change or looking to deepen your expertise, we have a range of opportunities to support your learning & skills development throughout 2026.
Courses: www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-change/training
Conference: www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-change/conference

Vaccinate, isolate, ventilate: will we finally learn the lessons from covid this flu season? With flu surging again, Stephen Reicher and colleagues draw on the experience of covid-19 to argue that predictable winter pressures demand more than individual responsibility, they also require syste...

Flu is surging. What can we do about it?

Layered protections—vaccination, isolation with liveable sick pay, and clean air—enabled by government and institutions.

BMJ Opinion by Stephen Reicher, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @profstevegriffin.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...

5/ The key message? No single measure is enough. Success comes from combining vaccination, isolation support, good ventilation, and clear communication. Governments must make this possible, or we will continue repeating the same cycle every winter.

Interview with Sky News about Flu cases in England December 2025 YouTube video by Professor Christina Pagel

Was on Sky News this morning discussing Flu and whether this was a record bad year or not.

Also discussed what we could do and the importance of vaccines, ventilation and wearing a mask if you're ill.

youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac

Don't forget
@chrischirp.bsky.social @sheencr.bsky.social @profstevegriffin.bsky.social @binitakane.bsky.social @susanmichie.bsky.social to ask the
🇬🇧 Government & @ukhsa.bsky.social
Invest in Schools
And Healthcare
#HealthyBuildings
#CleanAirIndoors
💨
bsky.app/profile/clea...

So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...

1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.

Behaviour Change Conference 2026: the call for abstracts and workshop proposals has been extended to 7 January. Image of a woman presenting.

📢 Deadline extended!
You now have until 7 January to submit abstracts & workshop proposals for the 2026 Behaviour Change Conference.
A huge thank you to everyone who’s already submitted. We look forward to your submissions & to welcoming you to Lisbon for #BCConf2026!
👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...

Present your work to a global audience: photo of presenter and chair. Ask questions and join in the discussion: photo of an audience member speaking into a microphone.

Hear thought-provoking panel discussions and symposia: photo of a panel of four speakers. Learn from inspiring keynotes from thought leaders: photo of Professor Vera Araújo Soares, 2025 keynote speaker.

Gain hands-on learning in pre-conference workshops: photo of a male delegate smiling, with plasticine in his hands as part of a workshop activity. Meet with and learn from experts: photo of a room with five conference delegates and two experts.

Form new connections and collaborations: three female delegates smiling outside in the sunshine. Enjoy Portuguese culture and hopefully sunshine! Photo of a Portuguese traditional band playing.

⏰ Less than 1 week left to submit your work to the 2026 Behaviour Change Conference!
Submissions are starting to fly in so don’t miss your chance to be part of our biggest & best conference yet!
Deadline: 15 December
👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...
@susanmichie.bsky.social @martamarques.bsky.social

Unlocking Behaviour Change Social Sciences Podcast · Unlocking Behaviour Change is a podcast delving into psychology and motivation. Join Professor Robert West, a world-leading behavioural scientist, and Jamie West, a writer an...

Good, accessible summary of what I & colleagues have been up to - also see @hbcproject.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/u...

BMJ’s Coverage of Kennedy’s Vaccine Reforms Amounts to Character Assassination by Peter C. Gøtzsche Abstract: The reactions to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s initiatives to improve vaccine safety have been almost uniformly negative. I studied how the narratives were framed in a cohort of 33 articles in the BMJ of which 30 were written by journalists or the editor. I focused on whether the reporting was balanced and informative, and whether the articles saw any merit in Kennedy's reforms in his role as Secretary of Health and Human Services or supported the status quo. The reporting in the BMJ was highly biased. Much of the information provided in Kennedy's disfavour was misleading, and some was wrong. All initiatives at improving vaccine safety were condemned, without any analysis of their merits in an evidence-based fashion. Instead, the BMJ cited people who had their own agendas and who condemned Kennedy without providing any evidence in their favour while expressing faith in vaccines, with the industry mantra that they are safe and effective, although all drugs will harm some people. The BMJ did not take any interest in the widespread and lethal corruption in US healthcare institutions - one of Kennedy's focus points - but toned it down. Despite the constant ad hominem attacks, Kennedy has succeeded to introduce important changes and plans related to vaccine safety, guidance about how vaccines are used, and about avoiding neurotoxic metals in vaccine adjuvants.

The grievance blog masquerading as a "journal" founded by Trump HHS appointees (The "Journal" of the "Academy" of Public Health) is now publishing lengthy screeds about how HHS secretary RFK Jr is being treated unfairly by the BMJ and calling it a literature synthesis...

COVID Is Surging Again. Grab These At-Home Tests While They're On Sale. Don't let your Thanksgiving dinner become a super-spreader event.

Don't let your Thanksgiving dinner become a super-spreader event.

“My NHS colleagues and I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Johnson no longer mentions them at all.”

Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com

observer.co.uk/news/...

Re: the COVID inquiry, for the last edition of Psychology, I interviewed @susanmichie.bsky.social about her role on SPI-B

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Surfacing and Mitigating the “Hidden Risks” of AI. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Current AI safety discourse disproportionately centres on highly salient technical risks such as algorithm bias and hallucinations. While these concerns merit attention, they overlook a fundamental tr...

Free webinar led by myself & Holly Marquez on how organisations can mitigate the “hidden” risks of AI: the risks you don’t spot until it’s too late.

Join us on Monday 24th November 10am here:
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Thanks to our hosts @susanmichie.bsky.social @behaviourresuk.bsky.social

Thanks again to you & all @independentsage.bsky.social-i don't know if it's possible to measure how many lives you saved, but when the call came you all answered it, and provided such a vital beacon for so many at such a dark time. Thank you all @chrischirp.bsky.social @profstevegriffin.bsky.social