BSPHN 2024 Conference: Using Behavioural Science to Address Shared Challenges for Prevention

By BSPHN on
Nov 7, 2023

Join us on our Behavioural Science and Public Health (BSPHN) Annual conference as we showcase and learn from a wide range of experts, optimising and demonstrating the impact of behavioural and social science, to create healthy environments and healthy people.

This year, our theme focuses on using behavioural science to address shared challenges for prevention.

When and where

Date: Tuesday 20th February 2024 09:00–16:30 GMT

Venue: Liverpool John Moores University, Tithebarn Building, L2 2ER

About this event

This conference is bigger and better than before with double the content and choice, than previous years.

With 4 renowned keynote speakers, an open panel discussion, parallel oral presentation sessions and interactive workshops, there is a lot to get involved in and take away from the day.

Keynote speakers include:

  • – Professor of Epidemiology at University College London, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity, and Past President of the World Medical Association
  • – Programme Director, Behavioural Science Unit, Public Health Wales
  • – Director of Public Health, Liverpool City Council
  • – Head of Behavioural Insight & Change, Public Health Liverpool

Panel Discussion

Join us for an open panel conversation with our keynote speakers and co-founder and chair of the BSPHN trustees, on using behavioural science to change behaviours of system actors e.g., clinicians or policymakers.

Workshops

Workshop 1 – COM-B and the Theoretical Domains Framework: Practical applications

Workshop Convener and

Description – The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model, and the more detailed Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) are useful tools for identifying the determinants of behaviour, which is the starting point for developing behaviour change interventions. Facilitated by two behavioural scientists with extensive experience of working with COM-B and TDF in a range of contexts, this interactive workshop will provide an opportunity to explore how these tools can be used in your own work, with the aim of identifying a real-world application for attendees to take forward.

Workshop 2 – Introduction to Behavioural Systems Mapping in Public Health

Workshop Convener

Description – Behaviour is strongly influenced by the systems in which it is embedded. The impact of behaviour change interventions are greatly enhanced by considering the systems within which they are embedded. Behavioural Systems Mapping (BSM) is an evolving method for understanding where and how to change behaviour within complex systems.

This practical workshop will introduce participants to the key concepts and methods of Behavioural Systems Mapping, using examples drawn from public health policy and practice. By attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Identify public health issues where behaviourally focussed systems thinking would be useful
  • Understand the process of developing a behavioural systems map
  • Draw a simple behavioural systems map to represent complex, non-linear causality
  • Use a simple behavioural systems map to devise a behaviour change intervention
  • Due to the highly interactive nature of this workshop, places will be limited to 20 delegates
Workshop 3 – Training to change practice: using behavioural science in education and training

Workshop Convener and

Description – When we want to improve health services we tend to deliver education and training to health workers. Education and training tends to focus predominantly on increasing what people know and can do. Behavioural science tells us that just because someone can do something it doesn't mean that they will. In this workshop, we will talk about how some changes in the way we develop and deliver education and training can align better to behavioural evidence and theory and therefore make training more likely to lead to the changes in practice that will improve services.

We also have a dedicated space for delegates to share their work on poster displays and network among each other.

Join us to learn from experts using behavioural and social sciences to enhance population outcomes, network with like minded colleagues, and share best practice!

Abstracts

Calls for oral and poster presentations!

As a network the BSPHN is keen to provide ample opportunities at our annual conference for members and delegates to share their work, to learn from others, and to build relationships.

This call for abstract submissions is aimed at showcasing how behavioural science has been used to address shared challenges for prevention and where there have been opportunities of creating healthy outcomes for the environment and for people.

Authors are asked to submit abstracts that address any of the following sub-themes:

  • Prevention – content focused on sustainability, long-term conditions, primary and secondary prevention strategies.
  • Shared challenges – content focused on key policy changes, implementation, health inequalities.

Submissions do not have to relate to traditional research studies, although these are welcome. Submissions could describe any project that has sought to apply and/or evaluate the impact of behavioural or social science. We welcome abstracts from academia, public and private sectors.

We are particularly keen to receive submissions from private and public practitioners, commissioners, and other professionals, as well as students and academics. We are also keen to include work that is still in progress.

Oral presentations

Oral speakers will be given 15 minutes (10 minutes to present and 5 minutes for questions).

Poster presentations

Accepted posters will be showcased during the conference and will be available online on the BSPHN website after the event.

Submit an outline of the project, in no more than 350 words, using the following headings (as appropriate):

  • Aim(s)
  • Methods / Implementation
  • Results / Impact / Learning
  • Conclusions / Implications for practice

Abstract submissions are now closed.

Key submission dates

  • 8th November 2023 – Online submission for abstracts open
  • 22nd December 2023 – Deadline for abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations
  • w/c 22nd January 2024 – Notification of submission outcomes

Top tips for writing an abstract

  1. Follow the BSPHN abstract guidelines and keep to the word count. Only abstracts that meet the guidelines will be considered for selection.
  2. Tailor the abstract so it is related to the conference theme and ensure it is relevant to behavioural science and public health.
  3. Write clearly and concisely, avoid jargon and acronyms. Assume you are writing to an audience who know nothing about your work area.
  4. Ensure you have a balance between what you did (methods) and what you found (results).
  5. Highlight the implications of your work, which can be for research, policy, and/or practice. For work-in-progress, highlight the expected implications.

Thank you for considering the BSPHN conference to present your work. If you have any inquiries relating to submission or the conference, please email events@bsphn.org.uk

Tickets

Registration for the conference is now closed and all tickets are sold out.

Registration for the conference is online –

Our ticket prices are as follows:

Early bird

  • Student: £80
  • Public sector / academia / charities: £180
  • Private sector: £220

General admission

  • Student: £120
  • Public sector / academia / charities: £195
  • Private sector: £270

Please note early bird tickets end at 11.59pm on 28th January 2024 and all tickets are non-refundable.

Bursary

We are offering two bursaries for attendance at the conference, which covers the event registration fee (including catering) and travel costs for the recipient to attend the full event (excluding accommodation). If you wish to apply for a bursary you will need to tell us why you should be awarded the bursary (maximum 500 words).

The BSPHN Committee will judge the application. The successful bursaries will need to attend the full day of the conference and will be required to write an article for the BSPHN publication. BSPHN will reimburse travel costs for bursary winners which will be paid following attendance at the conference and submission of a write piece for BSPHN publication. Receipts for travel will be required.

If your application is unsuccessful, we will still offer you the opportunity to purchase a ticket to attend the conference at the early bird rate.

Bursary applications are now closed.

Travel

The conference is located at the Tithebarn Building, Liverpool John Moores University. It is 13 minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street train station, 10 minutes from Liverpool One bus station and a short distance from the city centre.

Tithebarn Building, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2ER

Travelling to Liverpool by train

Liverpool is easily accessible by train from all major cities in the UK, the journey from London will take just over two hours (National Rail Enquiries). Visitors from Greater Manchester, TransPennine Express has an hourly service between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool which only takes 32 minutes.

Travelling to Liverpool by car

Liverpool city region is well connected to the UK motorway network. From the M6 take the M62, M58 or M56 to reach the city centre.

Sat nav coordinates

For users of satellite navigation equipment, simply enter the coordinates 53.4095,-2.98558 or the postcode L2 2ER.

Car parking facilities

Liverpool Moorefields (L2 2AY) NCP has 577 spaces and you can pay for parking using card or cashless via the NCP app. There are no electrical charging points at this car park.

Alternatively, visit NCP for full details of city car parking facilities.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the ticket price, you may wish to check accommodation platforms such as booking.com to compare local availability and cost.

Contact us

If you have any queries regarding the conference, please email us at events@bsphn.org.uk