Robert West
Based at UCL. Researching tobacco use, human motivation and application of AI to behavioural science. Co-founder of Behaviour Change Wheel and COM-B model.
- Reposted by Robert WestThis is an important and sobering read about a 1943 American pamphlet warning citizens what fascism in America would look like. Every bit of it is happening now open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
- Reposted by Robert Westthe ICE officer calling a woman he just murdered a “fucking bitch” is visceral, but imo the most material new information in the latest video is that she very clearly turns the wheel away from the officer right before it happens
- Reposted by Robert WestWalz: "I couldn't help but think, and it scares me a bit -- 'The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most important directive.' It certainly feels like that in this moment."
- Reposted by Robert WestLarge Language models pose an existential threat to online survey research www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... An AI can now evade a comprehensive suite of data quality checks, achieving a 99.8% pass rate on 6,000 trials of standard attention checks.
- Reposted by Robert WestStatement from Birzeit University on the Israeli military invasion of its campus and shooting of students www.birzeit.edu/en/news/stat...
- Reposted by Robert Westvery 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.
- Musk should remain member of UK Royal Society, says president ft.trib.al/tC0vaAa
- Reposted by Robert WestFor those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies
- Reposted by Robert WestBREAKING: The Hennepin County District Attorney's office says they have jurisdiction to charge the ICE agent involved in the fatal Minneapolis shooting.
- Reposted by Robert Westhis name is Jonathan Ross and he shouldn't get a good night's sleep for the rest of his life www.startribune.com/ice-agent-wh...
- The US Government has set out very clearly its plans for the US oligarchs (not its people) to dominate the world. They are not hiding it and have thrown out a challenge to countries such as the UK: The US does not see us as an ally but as a vassal state. youtu.be/idkurWogst8?...
- Please take a few moments to pressure the government to meet with the Palestine Action hunger strikers now. goodlaw.social/8f6640
- Reposted by Robert WestGrateful if you can share!@martamarques.bsky.social @susanmichie.bsky.social @felixnaughton.bsky.social @uclbrainscience.bsky.social @uclpals.bsky.social @behaviourresuk.bsky.social @hbcproject.bsky.social @nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social @bsphn.bsky.social @robertjwest.bsky.social @socsocmed.bsky.social
- Reposted by Robert WestWe now offer an FAQs page on our website that answers the most common technical and training questions that you may have. You can access it here: www.ncsct.co.uk/publications.... You can also ask questions via enquiries@ncsct.co.uk Please note: our new enquiries number is 01747 441648.
- You may be interested in this preprint that Sarah Jackson, Linda Ng Fat and I have just published on improved mental wellbeing following health-behaviour changes. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know. www.qeios.com/read/NY0ZS1
- Reposted by Robert West📢 Submissions are open for the 2026 Behaviour Change Conference! A fantastic opportunity to share your work & connect with delegates worldwide - all working toward a healthier, sustainable world 🌍 🗓 Deadline: 15 Dec 2025 👉 ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-change/conference #BCConf2026 @be-change.bsky.social
- This will be a big one! www.linkedin.com/pulse/regist...
- A flat white by any other name … open.substack.com/pub/robertwe...
- I've just heard what may be the funniest line ever in a detective story. It's in the brilliant Anthony Horowitz' novel 'Close to Death' whose audiobook is brightening up my gym experience. It is 'There was so much blood, even the police dog threw up.'
- Reposted by Robert WestBigly recommend listening to the Unlocking Behaviour Change 'cast from #JamieWest (not sure of his blewski handle) and @robertjwest.bsky.social. Lots of info and insight, entertainingly and efficiently conveyed. #ChickenSexing youtu.be/J0y2Bo4glfk?...
- Reposted by Robert WestRobert West explaining the use of ontologies to support research on #nicotine and #tobacco use at the SRNT-E conference addictovocab.org @robertjwest.bsky.social
- Reposted by Robert West#BehaviouralScience is not always about nudging. The authors @susanmichie.bsky.social @robertjwest.bsky.social argue "tackling the challenges facing humanity requires a collective, capacity-building approach" that boosts competences, opportunities, & motivations for individuals to act together.
- Reposted by Robert West👥📚 And are you interested in applying AI to your own behavioural research? Join our drop-in advice sessions with our AI webinar speakers @jannahastings.bsky.social , @robertjwest.bsky.social, and @susanmichie.bsky.social Michie beginning in September. Sign up to a session today!
- Reposted by Robert WestOur new paper provides up-to-date evidence on cigarette consumption across Great Britain. 🟡~28.6 billion cigarettes are smoked each year. 🟡There are persistent disparities across socioeconomic groups, regions, and nations. academic.oup.com/ntr/advance-... @ntrjournal.bsky.social
- Just released a new episode of the Unlocking Behaviour Change podcast. This series is tackling decision-making and this episode is all about the importance of the way that decisions are 'framed' (e.g., Shall I do X or not? which of X, Y or Z shall I choose?) www.podbean.com/ep/pb-rdhpx-...
- I've just launched the latest episode in the Unlocking Behaviour Change podcast series, and it is the very first public airing of a new general framework for understanding and analysing real-world decisions - called FACET. So do check it out and leave comments. www.podbean.com/ep/pb-tgudh-...
- The Human Behaviour Change Project 'Prediction Tool' has just had a revamp. It uses interpretable machine learning applied to rich ontologised data extracted from ~500 RCTs to predict smoking cessation outcomes in novel scenarios. Here's a link to a video about the tool youtu.be/fUvfXmeZhnM
- Reposted by Robert WestCan't wait for the launch of APRICOT? 🍑 We got you covered: Here, Robert West is introducing himself and giving you a small peak into what he will be speaking about at the launch. Don't forget to register: 🗓️ 17 June 2025 ⏰ 3:30 PM (UK Time) 🎥 Online 👉 Register now: ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
- Just posted the 3rd podcast in the Unlocking Behaviour Change series. This first series of podcasts is being done while Jamie West and I finalise our new book on decision making, so comments are very welcome ... here's a link to the podcast www.podbean.com/ep/pb-yavwn-...
- Reposted by Robert West🧠 Bonus for early birds! Register early for the BCTO training and get first access to a free workshop with Prof @robertjwest.bsky.social on the CACTISS Tool - a practical, step-by-step method to identify aspects of capability, opportunity & motivation to target - and how to use it to select BCTs.
- Reposted by Robert WestWe also have the last few places remaining on our Principles & Practice of Systems Mapping course on 3 July! 🔗https://www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-change/advanced-modules-behaviour-change @viviantonop.bsky.social @robertjwest.bsky.social
- Reposted by Robert WestLooking for other advanced training? On 1 July join Prof @robertjwest.bsky.social for an in-depth guide to decision-making and motivation, with plenty of time for discussion and interactivity. 🔗https://www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-change/advanced-modules-behaviour-change
- Reposted by Robert WestA reply to a reply. Ralph Hertwig @susanmichie.bsky.social @robertjwest.bsky.social & Stephen Reicher respond to a commentary from Luc Bovens on their BPP paper. doi.org/10.1017/bpp....
- Reposted by Robert West🚨 New article on 'Moving from nudging to boosting: empowering behaviour change to address global challenges' by Ralph Hertwig, @susanmichie.bsky.social, @robertjwest.bsky.social & Stephen Reicher. 🔗You can read it here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
- Here is a short video about Long COVID - something we all need to be aware of as it is devasting people's lives and is a very good reason why we should normalise perfectly reasonable precautions against airborne viruses. youtu.be/mqIxyammvXE?...
- Reposted by Robert WestNew Addiction Audio: Communicating public health research with @drsarahejackson.bsky.social, Martin Jarvis and @robertjwest.bsky.social. Elle Wadsworth talks to 3 generations of tobacco/nicotine researchers about their recent editorial ‘The price of a cigarette: 20 minutes of life?’
- Finally, we have a published version of the paper describing the ontology for capturing information about recipients of interventions. It's out for peer review but open to comments from all interested parties so do have a look and stress test it! wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/10-...
- We're going to be focusing on using ML to predict intervention outcomes - something that we don't do enough but should be core business for behavioural scientists.
- We are a week away from the second webinar in our AI in behavioural research series, focusing on Analytical AI, covering its use in classifying knowledge, reasoning, and making predictions from data. 📅 11:30am, 12 March 2025. Sign up below: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
- Reposted by Robert WestWe are a week away from the second webinar in our AI in behavioural research series, focusing on Analytical AI, covering its use in classifying knowledge, reasoning, and making predictions from data. 📅 11:30am, 12 March 2025. Sign up below: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
- Reposted by Robert West
- The populist right is damaging US science. The UK could be next. open.substack.com/pub/kityates...
- Reposted by Robert WestThe programme for #BCConf2025 is here! 🎉 2 days (2-3 April), 3 inspiring keynotes, 13 panel discussions/symposia, and over 200 projects showcased in oral presentations and posters! In-person tickets are sold out but you can register to watch online. 👉 Find out more: www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...
- Reposted by Robert WestHow do apps backed by the alcohol industry mislead users & risk increasing the amount users drink? In our latest blog, Elliott Roy-Highley & @markpetticrew.bsky.social look at the content of industry apps. "It exemplifies the subtle ways that industry actors use... www.ias.org.uk/2025/02/25/d...
- Reposted by Robert WestYou can now sign up for the second webinar in our AI in Behavioural Research series. This session focuses on analytical AI, how it classifies knowledge, undertakes reasoning & more. 📅 11:30am, 12 March 2025. Register Here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
- Reposted by Robert WestOur third and final #AI webinar is also open for registration. In this webinar our speakers @jannahastings.bsky.social, @susanmichie.bsky.social & @robertjwest.bsky.social will explore ethical challenges in AI for behavioural research. 📅 1pm, 12 May 2025. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
- The Drink Less app goes from strength to strength. Here is an economic evaluation of the likely impact of rolling it out across England www.valueinhealthjournal.com/article/S109...
- I worked in the MoD in the late 1970s and it was my opinion then and it remains today that the US was not a trustworthy ally. Now it has made its intentions clear - to install far right puppet governments in Europe. We have a fight on our hands.
- Reposted by Robert WestThis excellent interactive tutorial on misleading data visualizations explores the idea of a "counter chart" — the graph you draw in response to refute a misleading claims flowingdata.com/projects/dis...
- Reposted by Robert WestWelcome to the Bluesky account for Stand Up for Science 2025! Keep an eye on this space for updates, event information, and ways to get involved. We can't wait to see everyone #standupforscience2025 on March 7th, both in DC and locations nationwide! #scienceforall #sciencenotsilence
- My brother, Jonathan, sent me a transcript in which he asked ChatGPT whether, AI will end up being too busy watching porn to take over the world. This was the response - unedited. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- The UK's National Institute of Health and Care Excellent (NICE) has just published its comprehensive updated guidance on the prevention and treatment of tobacco dependence. A 'must-read' for commissioners and providers of smoking cessation support www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng209
- Reposted by Robert WestRelatedly, crash injuries in Wales have fallen ~28% since the 2023 adoption of 20 mph as an urban standard. Slower traffic --> Fewer crashes --> Lower insurance rates
- Reposted by Robert WestSystematic review: At an individual level, people who vape appear more likely to go on to smoke than people who do not. It is unclear if these behaviours are causally linked. V V low certainty evidence suggests youth vaping & smoking could be inversely related onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Reposted by Robert WestWhat's next for the Human Behaviour-Change Project? APRICOT (Advancing Prevention Research In Cancer through Ontology Tools) will further develop ontologies, a Community of Practice, & access to more tools and resources. @susanmichie.bsky.social @robertjwest.bsky.social #BehaviouralScience
- Reposted by Robert WestAre you interested in learning how AI can be used to improve behavioural research? 📈 There is time to register for BR-UK’s webinar tomorrow at 1:30pm BST with speakers @jannahastings.bsky.social, @susanmichie.bsky.social and @robertjwest.bsky.social. Sign up here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
- Reposted by Robert WestI didn't think I'd have to say this, but as someone who's spent years studying and treating "addictions" there is no such thing as "dopamine addiction," no matter what Insta/ TikTok tell you, and anything using that phrase is a gutter trash scam. You cannot be addicted to your own neurotransmitters.
- Reposted by Robert West📢 Final call to apply! Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to join our team on a permanent, full-time basis, and play a key role in developing and growing our research, consultancy and training activities. 🔗 Applications close 26 January: www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/... @susanmichie.bsky.social
- Reposted by Robert WestThe BR-UK Map has now been viewed over 10,000 times! It features ~170 private sector, ~80 public sector, ~30 third/voluntary sector organisations, and ~600 academic groups involved in behavioural research. 📊🔍 Look over the map here: usher.ed.ac.uk/behavioural-...
- Reposted by Robert WestOne of my friends has a grant from the #FDA to look at disparities in clinical trial research and just submitted a manuscript with the findings. She was told today by the collaborators from the #FDA to rescind it. #Censorhip has started, we are living in authoritarian government.
- Reposted by Robert WestSmoking costs society in England £43.7bn a year through a combination of lost economic productivity and health and social care costs. This rises to £78.3bn if the cost of early deaths due to smoking is included. ash.org.uk/health-inequ... @ashorguk.bsky.social #RespEd #LungSky 1/n
- Reposted by Robert WestTrump comes for the scientists www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/01... Trump has cancelled almost all US government medical research. He's also cancelled communication on current medical crises. Mistrust of science is a fascist trait. It looks like the people of the USA are going to suffer for it.
- Reposted by Robert WestCoverage of our recent paper on the real-world effectiveness of smoking cessation aids in The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/society/2025... Read the paper in full here: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
- Reposted by Robert WestLooking to gain a better understanding of how to apply behaviour change principles to practical problems? Meet Claire, who took our intermediate course, & find out how the course helped her to develop an intervention. 🔗 Book now for 8-12 Sept: www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch... @susanmichie.bsky.social
- Reposted by Robert WestA linguistics professor was lecturing his class. "In English, a double negative is a positive. In some languages, like Russian, a double negative is still a negative. But, there is no language wherein a double positive can be a negative." A voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah, right."
- Reposted by Robert WestThe Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience is the most wonderful place to work. Supportive, bright colleagues doing incredible research in beautiful Queen Square. Do get in touch if you have any questions. Come join us! www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
- Trump has just launched a blitzkrieg against science, peace, justice and civilisation. It will be a rout if an organised resistance isn’t mobilised quickly.
- Reposted by Robert West"The COVID-19 pandemic, as best as we can tell, took more than 20 million lives, cost $16 trillion, kept 1.6 billion children out of school, and pushed some 130 million people into poverty. And it’s not over" www.science.org/content/arti...
- Reposted by Robert WestThere will be no health news until 1 Feb. By decree. And then it gets political. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
- That is one cocky little robot. No-one likes a show-off.
- Cool Tech #DeepRobotics #Hangzhou
- Reposted by Robert West📣 We are excited to announce the topic and facilitators for the next CREATE Workshop at @ehps2025.bsky.social! Get ready to learn about Open Science Practices with @emmajnorris.bsky.social and @rorycoyne.bsky.social 💻 @ehpssynergy.bsky.social @ehps.bsky.social
- Very nice reminder of why it is important to look at data when making political claims. Basically - any time anyone makes a claim about people (especially someone who has an axe to grind), say 'Show me the evidence.' open.substack.com/pub/theresti...
- How many of us have articulated our ethics as applied to our professional work? Arguably behavioural scientists should all have a crack at it. Here is a substack article setting out what I think may be mine, with apologies for the corny AI-generated image! robertwest100.substack.com/p/what-makes...
- Reposted by Robert WestHow does evidence type affect #publicpolicy support? BR-UK explores how statistics, anecdotes or both, influence beliefs in policy effectiveness and support in our latest blog. Read more on the BR-UK website: usher.ed.ac.uk/behavioural-...
