Lisbon hosted the 10th edition of the Behaviour Change Conference, organised by the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London (UCL), in partnership with the BE-Change Knowledge Centre at NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH). The event brought together more than 300 participants from 44 countries, including researchers, practitioners, policymakers and representatives of civil society organisations, to discuss the latest advances in the science and application of behaviour change to global challenges in health, sustainability and well-being.
The 2026 edition took place from 16 to 19 June at Colégio Almada Negreiros, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, and also included online participation, enabling an even broader international community to take part. The conference was preceded by a day dedicated to specialised workshops, “Meet the Experts” sessions and networking activities, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and the establishment of new scientific collaborations.
Over two and a half days of scientific programme, participants attended oral presentations, symposia, poster sessions and discussions on the application of behavioural sciences across different contexts. According to Marta Marques, Assistant Professor at NOVA NSPH and co-organiser of the conference, its aim is to promote the “sharing of knowledge and the creation of collaborations for a healthier and more sustainable world, bringing together different sectors and disciplines around evidence-based solutions.”
Among the most anticipated moments were the plenary sessions, featuring presentations by leading national and international experts. The keynote speakers included Marijn de Bruin, from Radboud University Medical Center, Joana Gonçalves de Sá, Principal Investigator at LIP – Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics, and Esther Papies, from Radboud University, all recognised for their work in the fields of behavioural medicine, machine learning and health psychology.
In a message addressed to the conference community, Cristina Godinho, Assistant Professor at NOVA NSPH and co-organiser of the conference, highlighted the collaborative atmosphere that characterised the event, emphasising the importance of “networking with a diverse global community of researchers, practitioners and experts from different sectors.” She also noted that the programme was designed to provide “inspiring keynotes, interactive sessions and opportunities for collaboration, reinforcing the growing role of behavioural sciences in addressing the complex challenges facing contemporary society.”
“The hosting of the Behaviour Change Conference 2026 in Lisbon further strengthened the position of Portugal and NOVA NSPH as a venue for high-profile international scientific events and provided an opportunity to showcase the work carried out by Portuguese researchers and institutions in the field of behavioural sciences,” said Sónia Dias, Dean and Full Professor at NOVA NSPH.
The conference also announced that the online event Conversations about Behaviour Change will take place on 9 and 10 March 2027, jointly organised by the Centre for Behaviour Change at UCL and NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH). The event will promote knowledge sharing and discussion on the latest advances in the science of behaviour change. The call for abstracts and session proposals will open at the end of September 2026. Further information will be announced soon.
