POSITIVE ADAPTATIONS:
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRENGTHS
ONLINE CONFERENCE / 1-2 JULY
Friday 2nd July 11:00am
Behavioural science in policy and in practice: Advising government in the time of Covid
In this symposium, four speakers who have been involved in advising governments on public behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic describe their experiences of participating in different advisory groups, including SPI-B (the behavioural science subgroup of SAGE, the UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies), Independent SAGE, and the groups advising the devolved administrations. As well as their advisory work, during the pandemic the speakers have been carrying out research that has informed the advice, such as work on understanding public adherence to the behavioural regulations (e.g., self-isolation). Each of us has also responded to the increased media appetite for the views of scientists. The symposium comprises four short presentations with plenty of time for questions and discussion. John Drury (University of Sussex) will describe how participating in SPI-B (‘Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours’) actually works – how we are approached for advice and the form in which we provide it. Stephen Reicher (St Andrews University) will describe how many recommendations made in SPI-B were apparently ignored by the UK government and how Independent SAGE and its behavioural sub-group provides an alternative platform for disseminating scientific advice. After some time for questions, Ann John (Swansea University) describes experiences of chairing the Wales Risk Communication and Behavioural Insights sub-group and how providing advice to the Welsh Government intersects (or otherwise) with working with the UK government. In the final presentation, Susan Michie (UCL) will raise the issue of the relationships between science and policy: is science being used or ‘used’, and should policy be informed by, but not follow science?
Participating in SPI-B, the behavioural science sub-group of SAGE
John Drury, University of Sussex
In this presentation, I’ll describe what it means to participate in SPI-B. In the initial stages of the pandemic, a large group of different types of behavioural scientists (not only psychologists but also anthropologists, criminologists, historians and others) were invited to participate in weekly meetings. The names of participants and their reports were not made public at first, though later this was changed so that most material is now published regularly on Gov.uk. Our advice essentially consists of responding to specific questions from SAGE and government departments (including the Cabinet Office, Department of Health & Social Care, and Digital Culture Media & Sport), both in discussion in the meetings and through papers summarizing research and recommendations. In addition, some of us have been involved in commissioned rapid reviews. I will describe one ‘worked example’, which focused on the advice given on the re-opening of live events and venues.
What’s the point of advising a Government that doesn’t listen? From SPI-B to Independent SAGE
Stephen Reicher, St Andrews University
What do you do, as an advisor, when your advice is not only ignored but systematically contradicted in ways that are likely to cause harm to the public? Should you respond internally by pointing out the problems in the hope that things will be done better next time, or should you make public criticisms with the danger that you will lose all influence within the system? Drawing on my experience in the advisory groups to the UK and Scottish Governments, and also as a member of Independent SAGE I shall address some of these classic dilemmas and explain my own stance of having one foot inside ‘the system’ and one foot outside. In so doing I shall also address the relationship between providing scientific advice and advocating for specific policies.
Working with the devolved administrations during the Covid-19 pandemic
Ann John, Swansea University
The UK government is only responsible for restrictions related to the pandemic in England. This is because health is devolved, which means Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own policies in relation to public health issues. ‘Lockdown’ was imposed through public health legislation, with separate regulations made in the UK, Scottish and Welsh parliaments and the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Scottish government, Welsh government and Northern Ireland executive remain responsible for lifting and introducing restrictions in their respective territories, and can make different decisions. England, Scotland and Wales introduced the first lockdown restrictions on 26 March 2020 and Northern Ireland on 28 March 2020 with only minor differences in their respective approaches. Over time, differences between the approaches of each nation emerged. Did this matter? I’ll reflect on this question from my own experience of working with Government, media and the public during the pandemic in behavioural science, suicide prevention, and children and young people’s mental health.
Government policy: should it “follow the science”?
Susan Michie, UCL
Human behaviour is at the heart of Covid-19 transmission and at the heart of suppressing transmission. Psychology and other behavioural sciences have generated understanding and advice about policies and interventions to enable changes in behaviour, such as adherence to Government advice. Science has many ways of informing policy. Channels include formal Government structures, ad hoc and informal groups and networks, individual relationships, and press, broadcasting and social media. Psychologists and other behavioural scientists have been active in all these channels during the pandemic. The UK Government adopted a mantra of “following the science”. Does this accurately reflect a desirable relationship between science and policy? To what extent was science followed, ignored and ‘used’? My talk will reflect on the experience, lessons learnt, and questions raised by my experience of working with Government, media and the public during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BPS 2021
Managed by:
KC Jones conference&events Ltd