Behavioural science is a multidisciplinary field anchored in psychology, aiming to understand and influence human behaviour. Using rigorous scientific methods, it examines the behavioural drivers of major societal challenges, their individual and social influences, and how to bring about change through evidence-based behaviour change interventions, including digital interventions.

Principles from evidence-based behavioural science research enhance policies, practices, and communication, leading to a healthier and more sustainable society and planet.

Behavioural science addresses complex societal challenges. The mission of the BE-Change Knowledge Centre is to:

• Advance the science of behaviour change by developing and optimising methodologies, frameworks and theories.
• Expand the evidence base for effective behaviour change interventions in health, well-being, and sustainability.
• Foster national and international collaboration in research, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
• Design, implement and evaluate precision behaviour change interventions, including digital approaches, to improve public health, enhance healthcare efficiency, and promote healthier, more sustainable behaviours.

The National School of Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA NSPH) established the BE-Change Knowledge Centre to position Portugal at the forefront of behavioural science application in public health, bringing together experts from various fields.

APPROACH

• Multidisciplinary: We bring together experts in behavioural sciences, social sciences, public health, health sciences, methodology, and policy-making.
• Collaborative: We work in partnership with national and international networks to foster knowledge exchange and shared learning.
• Impact-driven: Our initiatives are designed to deliver tangible and sustainable health and social outcomes.

By bridging research and practice, the centre empowers professionals, institutions, and policymakers with the tools to drive effective and lasting behavioural change in healthcare and beyond.

The centre encompasses several cross-cutting areas of knowledge that support its core activities, including:

• Research and Innovation: Advancing behavioural science through the production of evidence-based knowledge, focusing on the advancement of methodologies (e.g. development of ontologies specifying behaviour change interventions), and development of behaviour change interventions. This includes improving ‘real-world’ public health outcomes and advancing digital precision behaviour change.
• Knowledge Translation and Community Impact: Applying behavioural science to enhance health services outcomes, health and environmental health promotion, and public policy development. This is achieved through active collaborations with national and international multidisciplinary networks, as well as engagement with health services, community researchers, providers, planners, and policy makers.
• Consultancy: Providing expert advice and strategic collaborative support to organisations aiming to integrate behavioural science methodologies, services, programs and policies, into their initiatives and objectives.
• Training and Education: Offering specialised training for practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders on application of behavioural science research methodologies, frameworks and theories in practice, as well as academic courses within NOVA NSPH formative program.
• Collaborative Knowledge Exchange: Fostering dynamic, impactful interactions, both within the NOVA ecosystem and beyond, promoting the exchange of ideas and advancing the field of behavioural science.

FEATURED RESEARCH PROJECTS

• APRICOT: Advancing Behavioral and Social Sciences Through Ontology Development and Application.

Funded by: NIH-NCI (1U01CA291884-01); $2.5m; 2024-2029; PI: Susan Michie (UCL, UK).
Research Team from Be-Change: Marta Marques (Co-Investigator), Carolina Silva (Research Assistant).

• VA PREVENTION: Randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a person-centred digital intervention to prevent diabetes in high-risk adults.

Funded by: Portuguese Science Foundation (2022.02969.PTDC); €250k; 2023-2025; PI- Mara Guerreiro (Egas Moniz, PT).
Research Team from Be-Change: Marta Marques (Co-Investigator).

• e-CUIDADOR TRIAL: Pain management for non-communicative people with dementia: effectiveness-implementation study in residential care facilities.

Funded by: Portuguese Science Foundation; €250k; 2025-2028, PI: Isa Félix (Egas Moniz).
Research Team from BE-Change: Marta Marques (Co-Investigator).

• INTERCAMBIO: Interventions to promote mental and physical health in changing working environments due to climate change, sustainable work practices, and in green jobs.

Funded by: European Commission; 5.7€M; 2024-2028; PI- Michelle Turner (Barcelona Institute for Global Health).
Research Team from Be-Change: Cristina Godinho (WP Participant).

FEATURED TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION PROJECTS

• ECDC: Building a community of practice in the social and behavioural sciences for the prevention of communicable diseases in the EU/EEA.

Funded by: European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC); Tender call in partnership with Verian Global; 2024-2027.
Research Team: Marta Marques (Scientific Leader of development and implementation of training), Aaliyah Boornois, Carolina Silva, Cristina Godinho.

PHD PROJECTS

• Development and implementation of a model of service delivery for the management of patients with hip and/or knee Osteoarthritis.
  Alexandre Moniz

• Uses of Artificial Intelligence in Portuguese Health Settings: A Behavioural Science Approach.
  Madalena Ricoca-Peixoto

• A better understanding of prescription behaviours to improve the use of antimicrobials in Portugal.
  Joana Osório

• Co-design and testing of theory-based risk communication strategies to prevent exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
  Carina Silva

• Behaviour Change Conference 2025
  The BE-Change Team organised the Behaviour Change Conference 2025 in collaboration with the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College Dublin. Lisbon 2-3 April 2025

Marta Marques (Director)

NOVA National School of Public Health, Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Cristina Godinho (Co-Director)

NOVA National School of Public Health, Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Carolina Silva (Research Assistant)

NOVA National School of Public Health, Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Maiara Moreto (Research Assistant)

Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Aaliyah Boornois (Research Assistant)

NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Alexandre Moniz (PhD Student)

Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Madalena Ricoca-Peixoto (PhD Student)

Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Laicos – Behavioural Change (Co-founder)

Joana Osório (PhD Student)

Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal

Carina Silva (PhD Student)

Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

BE-Change is partnering with the internationally leading institution Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London.

E-mail: behaviour.change@ensp.unl.pt

Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal

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