Past behavioural insights events

Discover insights and lessons learned from LGA behavioural insights events.


LGA Behavioural Insights Programme: tackling post pandemic challenges and the cost-of-living, 14 March 2023

The LGA Behavioural Insights Programme webinar on the topic of tackling post pandemic challenges and the cost-of-living was organised as part of the LGA’s Behavioural Insights Programme. It showcased the results and impacts of the projects delivered by Phase 8 of the Behavioural Insights Programme.


Behavioural Insights Programme showcase 2022

Our Behavioural Insights Programme showcase on sustainable travel and health inequalities highlighted the results and the impact of projects delivered as part of Phase 8 of our Behavioural Insights Programme.


Applying behaviour change techniques to key challenges – the climate emergency, health inequalities and sustainable travel | February 2022

Our 2022 behavioural insights conference spotlighted examples of work by councils to address the challenges of climate change, sustainable travel and health inequalities, and was attended by 540 delegates across the sector. The keynote presentation was delivered by environmental engineer Katie Patrick, with other speakers from Bradford Council, the London Borough of Havering, New Forest District Council, UNPITCHD, and the Centre for Behavioural Science and Applied Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University.


Applying behavioural change techniques to the COVID-19 and climate emergency responses | February 2021

This event showcased councils using behavioural change techniques to tackle two of the biggest challenges of our day – COVID-19 and climate change. The event also featured the launch of a green behaviours online resource for councils.


All Change – applying behavioural insights to local challenges | February 2020

The third LGA Behavioural Insights conference featured excellent speakers from Bradford, Havering and Hammersmith and Fulham councils who shared their successes in their behaviour change trials. Jeremy Oliver from University College London gave the keynote speech on the behaviour change wheel and how this can be applied to local government.

Our behavioural insights podcast – Nudges for Social Good – was launched at this event.

Getting the foundations right is key to any successful behaviour change project. So, it was fantastic to see the LGA endorsing and upskilling behavioural science enthusiasts with the behaviour change wheel at the conference. The LGA team have created a fantastic podcast where you can get critical insights straight to your phone!" – Event delegate


Nudges for social good – using behavioural insights in local government | March 2019

This event brought together 120 delegates from local authorities looking to use behavioural insights to improve service outcomes. We heard from councils who have been funded by the LGA, academics and suppliers who have had success in this area.

Councillor Joy Allen, portfolio holder for transformation at Durham County Council, hosted the day and shared our top ten practical tips for councils who are starting out on a behavioural insights project.

“The event was thought provoking and inspiring and helped me think through how to deal with some of the issue we are facing around changing the rhetoric and ways of working with our residents, galvanising more citizen action and actually the importance of chunking this work up in to tangible, real issues.” – Event delegate


Using behavioural insights in local government | March 2018

On 15 March 2018, the LGA hosted 100 innovative thinkers at Smith Square in Westminster, London. The main objective of the day was for officers and members to hear how behavioural insights has been applied to council services step by step, and to explain their lessons learnt.

The event feedback showed that 93.8 per cent of delegates were either very or fairly satisfied. A particular strength shone through – delegates were very happy with the focus on practical application of the methodology. “I found this event very helpful; it was good to hear how ideas are implemented and evaluated in real life.” Tim Pearse from the Behavioural Insights Team provided an initial overview and further explained what the behavioural insights projects funded through our Behavioural Insights Programme have achieved.

Councillor Peter Fleming hosted the day. He shared our top five recommendations for using behavioural insights to increase Council Tax revenue.

Watch the presentation from Carl Arnold of Leeds City Council on reducing inappropriate adult social care referrals on our YouTube channel.

We will continue to facilitate the sharing of national good practice on how we can use behavioural insights to manage demand and improve services for residents. Engage with the local government behavioural insights community on our Knowledge Hub forum.


South West region behavioural insight event | September 2017

Devon County Council hosted the South West region’s behavioural insights event in collaboration with the LGA and The Behavioural Insights Team.

Tim Pearse, Head of Local Government at The Behavioural Insights Team, spoke about the EAST model of behavioural insights. He explained that making behavioural change Easy, Attractive, Social and Timely, would be the best way to encourage individuals to change the way in which they think and act.

Rhian Gladman, LGA Programme Manager, spoke about the outcomes of previous behavioural insight projects funded through our Behavioural Insights Programme. She also set out the plan for future LGA behavioural insights programme funding and outlined tips for applying.