We study behaviour at multiple levels and through interdisciplinary lenses. Neglecting to consider the systems within which behaviour is expressed can lead to failure or unintended consequences which could otherwise have been prevented. Adopting systems thinking in behavioural research can enhance understanding of structural causes and drivers, explain interacting factors across different sectors and provide contextual knowledge. This can move research from siloed thinking to a dynamic understanding of complexity, uncertainty, and problem framing across multiple scales. It has the potential to create fresh and critical ways of looking at intervention, implementation, change and long term transformation to more fearlessly address some of the most intractable challenges of our times. These ideas have influenced new economic thinking, circular economies, civic infrastructures, public health, crime and security, climate action, regenerative cities, societal transitions. Central to systems thinking are concepts such as interconnection, feedback loops, emergence, synthesis and causation – when we look at behaviour through systems thinking, we therefore see the coming together of individuals, groups, environments, materials, policies, processes, structures, histories, trajectories, narratives and evidence. We have a wealth of expertise in understanding behaviour at multiple levels (individual, group, community, workplace, political, national, cultural) using behaviour change theories (e.g. behavioural economics, population health, organisational change, individual BC theory and practice), and various research methodologies (e.g. systems-mapping, process evaluation/mixed methods, use of multi-system intervention development frameworks, implementation science, experimental economics, modelling, data-linkage and epidemiology, critical theory, social science and qualitative research methods).
Current projects are working with Birmingham City Council on transforming food systems and systems for early intervention in social care. With partners at Moonshot CVE, UK Anti-Doping, Tech against Terrorism, Healios and the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, research teams are improving data analysis systems to identify risk, prioritise and protect.