History of the Research Unit in Health and Behavioural Change
The Research Unit in Health and Behavioural Change (RUHBC) was established in 1983, and closed after 25 years. The overall mission of RUHBC has remained relatively unchanged since its inception. In the latter period the Unit aimed to:
- improve understanding of the processes and mechanisms which influence the health and well being of the Scottish population; and
- enhance the contribution of knowledge to the development of policy and practice interventions for health.
The Unit was launched with funding from the (then) Scottish Office Home and Health Department in association with the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) and the (then) Scottish Health Education Group (SHEG). The Unit continued to receive core funding from government (latterly, the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates) and (until 2004) SHEG's successor, NHS Health Scotland.
In 1998 RUHBC became a section of the newly created Division of Community Health Sciences. Two years later there was a subtle (but important) transformation in name, to the Research Unit in Health, Behaviour & Change.
On 30 November 2008 the Unit ceased to exist as an independent research organisation as a result of the withdrawal of core funding. However, significant elements of RUHBC's research programme continue, and many staff remain employed at the University of Edinburgh, within the Centre for Population Health Sciences.
A Final Fling one day conference was held on 30th October 2008 in the Playfair Library of the University of Edinburgh, to mark and celebrate the work of the Unit over 25 years. This provided those present with an opportunity:
- to hear about the research undertaken by RUHBC, both in recent years and in the earlier days,
- to consider RUHBC's achievements in advancing and disseminating knowledge for health improvement, and
- to join in debates about major public health issues.
Alumni of RUHBC travelled from far and wide to attend the conference, so there was much catching up between erstwhile colleagues and old friends.
Directors of RUHBC
| David McQueen | 1983 - 1992 |
| Candace Currie | 1992 - 1995 |
| Professor Steve Platt | 1995 - 2008 |
RUHBC past reports and working papers
These remain available:
RUHBC contacts in CPHS
If you have any general queries about RUHBC, please contact Steve Platt.
