Gareth Hollands
@gjhollands.bsky.social
Behavioural science + evidence synthesis at UCL • population health • interventions • environments • unpopular culture • architecture (& morality) • "fun-sponge boffin" (Daily Star)
🔗 https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/92345-gareth-hollands
🌍 London, UK
🔗 https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/92345-gareth-hollands
🌍 London, UK
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
📢 New report out now: A Healthier Future: a long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK.
Developed by leading experts, it sets out a blueprint for halving risky drinking, reducing alcohol deaths, and expanding access to treatment.
Read now: www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
Developed by leading experts, it sets out a blueprint for halving risky drinking, reducing alcohol deaths, and expanding access to treatment.
Read now: www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
A Healthier Future: A long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Alcohol harm is a serious and growing concern in the UK, impacting people’s health and wellbeing, the NHS, social services, criminal justice, and our economy. These impacts are felt most by people on ...
www.ias.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:24 AM
📢 New report out now: A Healthier Future: a long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK.
Developed by leading experts, it sets out a blueprint for halving risky drinking, reducing alcohol deaths, and expanding access to treatment.
Read now: www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
Developed by leading experts, it sets out a blueprint for halving risky drinking, reducing alcohol deaths, and expanding access to treatment.
Read now: www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
Good to see a better alternative to this flag-hanging business round these parts. I ❤️ London
November 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Good to see a better alternative to this flag-hanging business round these parts. I ❤️ London
This. First, it suggests reviews = meta-analyses, whereas 'reviews' actually encompasses loads of types, which may or may not involve meta-analysis. Second, it's not about needing fewer of them - we need fewer bad ones and more good ones
Also not sure about #2 - at least in public health and other policy relevant fields. Often what policymakers need most is a really good review article. If we want evidence to inform policy specifically reducing that type of study wouldn't be where I'd start.
I am slow to react to this recent Stockholm Declaration on scientific publishing. A lot of it sounds good, but I don't see how we get from here to there. I worry nothing substantial will happen until the cost disease kills the host.
November 7, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This. First, it suggests reviews = meta-analyses, whereas 'reviews' actually encompasses loads of types, which may or may not involve meta-analysis. Second, it's not about needing fewer of them - we need fewer bad ones and more good ones
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
Designing Healthier Places 🏙️
For better or worse, our environments shape us. Interviewed for Portico magazine, hear from academics across BSA, IEDE and DPU.
🔗 https://magazine.ucl.ac.uk/autumn-2025/portico-magazine-autumn-2025-ucl/features/designing-healthier-places-portico-magazine-ucl/index.html
For better or worse, our environments shape us. Interviewed for Portico magazine, hear from academics across BSA, IEDE and DPU.
🔗 https://magazine.ucl.ac.uk/autumn-2025/portico-magazine-autumn-2025-ucl/features/designing-healthier-places-portico-magazine-ucl/index.html
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Designing Healthier Places 🏙️
For better or worse, our environments shape us. Interviewed for Portico magazine, hear from academics across BSA, IEDE and DPU.
🔗 https://magazine.ucl.ac.uk/autumn-2025/portico-magazine-autumn-2025-ucl/features/designing-healthier-places-portico-magazine-ucl/index.html
For better or worse, our environments shape us. Interviewed for Portico magazine, hear from academics across BSA, IEDE and DPU.
🔗 https://magazine.ucl.ac.uk/autumn-2025/portico-magazine-autumn-2025-ucl/features/designing-healthier-places-portico-magazine-ucl/index.html
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
Position statement on artificial intelligence (#AI) use in evidence synthesis across Cochrane, the Campbell Collaboration, JBI and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence 2025 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Position statement on artificial intelligence (AI) use in evidence synthesis across Cochrane, the Campbell Collaboration, JBI and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence 2025 - Environmental Evid...
1. Evidence synthesists are ultimately responsible for their evidence synthesis, including the decision to use artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, and to ensure adherence to legal and ethical...
link.springer.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Position statement on artificial intelligence (#AI) use in evidence synthesis across Cochrane, the Campbell Collaboration, JBI and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence 2025 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
🎬 🍿 Official Film Release!
We’re thrilled to announce the public release of Unmasking Influence -now available via the LSHTM Vimeo channel! vimeo.com/1123819285
There is overwhelming evidence that many industries are undermining public health.This documentary makes the issues visible and relatable.
We’re thrilled to announce the public release of Unmasking Influence -now available via the LSHTM Vimeo channel! vimeo.com/1123819285
There is overwhelming evidence that many industries are undermining public health.This documentary makes the issues visible and relatable.
Unmasking Influence - The Official Trailer
This trailer is for a film called Unmasking Influence. Unmasking influence is about how commercial actors influence policy and public health. Many of the major…
vimeo.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
🎬 🍿 Official Film Release!
We’re thrilled to announce the public release of Unmasking Influence -now available via the LSHTM Vimeo channel! vimeo.com/1123819285
There is overwhelming evidence that many industries are undermining public health.This documentary makes the issues visible and relatable.
We’re thrilled to announce the public release of Unmasking Influence -now available via the LSHTM Vimeo channel! vimeo.com/1123819285
There is overwhelming evidence that many industries are undermining public health.This documentary makes the issues visible and relatable.
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
A reminder that the original Hallowe'en jack o' lanterns date back to 18th century Ireland if not earlier, were based on a shady boozy blacksmith called Stingy Jack who cheated the devil & was trapped between 2 worlds, were carved from turnips and looked like this:
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
A reminder that the original Hallowe'en jack o' lanterns date back to 18th century Ireland if not earlier, were based on a shady boozy blacksmith called Stingy Jack who cheated the devil & was trapped between 2 worlds, were carved from turnips and looked like this:
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
NEW in @bmc.springernature.com Medicine
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
October 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
NEW in @bmc.springernature.com Medicine
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
NEW in @bmc.springernature.com Medicine
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
October 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
NEW in @bmc.springernature.com Medicine
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
- Overview of reviews comparing micro-environmental interventions (e.g. product size, labelling or positioning) for healthier or more sustainable food choices
- Led by a great team @oxprimarycare.bsky.social
bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
⭐ After quite some time in the making, I’m excited to share our new paper!🌿⭐
We examined people's climate-relevant behaviors (driving, air travel, public transport use, and meat consumption) and their perceptions of how feasible it would be to change them (+ expected wellbeing impacts).
🧵(1/4)
We examined people's climate-relevant behaviors (driving, air travel, public transport use, and meat consumption) and their perceptions of how feasible it would be to change them (+ expected wellbeing impacts).
🧵(1/4)
October 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
⭐ After quite some time in the making, I’m excited to share our new paper!🌿⭐
We examined people's climate-relevant behaviors (driving, air travel, public transport use, and meat consumption) and their perceptions of how feasible it would be to change them (+ expected wellbeing impacts).
🧵(1/4)
We examined people's climate-relevant behaviors (driving, air travel, public transport use, and meat consumption) and their perceptions of how feasible it would be to change them (+ expected wellbeing impacts).
🧵(1/4)
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
🚨 Killer Tactics 2: Business as Usual 🚨
Our latest report with Action on Smoking and Health and Alcohol Health Alliance reveals how powerful industries are undermining public health policy under the current Labour Government.
Read the report here ➡️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2025/10/23/k...
Our latest report with Action on Smoking and Health and Alcohol Health Alliance reveals how powerful industries are undermining public health policy under the current Labour Government.
Read the report here ➡️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2025/10/23/k...
October 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
🚨 Killer Tactics 2: Business as Usual 🚨
Our latest report with Action on Smoking and Health and Alcohol Health Alliance reveals how powerful industries are undermining public health policy under the current Labour Government.
Read the report here ➡️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2025/10/23/k...
Our latest report with Action on Smoking and Health and Alcohol Health Alliance reveals how powerful industries are undermining public health policy under the current Labour Government.
Read the report here ➡️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2025/10/23/k...
One of the best songs of the 1980s (or any decade). RIP Dave Ball youtu.be/y9KgEs3Zksg?...
Soft Cell - Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
YouTube video by SoftCellVEVO
youtu.be
October 23, 2025 at 3:23 PM
One of the best songs of the 1980s (or any decade). RIP Dave Ball youtu.be/y9KgEs3Zksg?...
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
DEBATE: "Is AI the future of health and social science?"
For those in London on 15 Dec 2025, don't miss this fun in person debate between me and David Bann sponsored by @ncrm.ac.uk!
Will the arguments change anyone's mind? 🤔
Sign up to attend IN PERSON: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-ai-the-...
For those in London on 15 Dec 2025, don't miss this fun in person debate between me and David Bann sponsored by @ncrm.ac.uk!
Will the arguments change anyone's mind? 🤔
Sign up to attend IN PERSON: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-ai-the-...
October 21, 2025 at 10:49 AM
DEBATE: "Is AI the future of health and social science?"
For those in London on 15 Dec 2025, don't miss this fun in person debate between me and David Bann sponsored by @ncrm.ac.uk!
Will the arguments change anyone's mind? 🤔
Sign up to attend IN PERSON: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-ai-the-...
For those in London on 15 Dec 2025, don't miss this fun in person debate between me and David Bann sponsored by @ncrm.ac.uk!
Will the arguments change anyone's mind? 🤔
Sign up to attend IN PERSON: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-ai-the-...
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
I mean I know this will never happen, because she's a crank and she's not getting anywhere near power, but this is still a profoundly depressing world view. What are we without the arts, without creativity, without imagination?
Badenoch and Co see education only as a means to a massive income in some soul destroying career.
Devoid of imagination and the power of knowledge they view life entirely through the prism of the CV.
My advice always is to study what interests you and the rest will follow
Devoid of imagination and the power of knowledge they view life entirely through the prism of the CV.
My advice always is to study what interests you and the rest will follow
October 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM
I mean I know this will never happen, because she's a crank and she's not getting anywhere near power, but this is still a profoundly depressing world view. What are we without the arts, without creativity, without imagination?
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
I know people are submitting AI-generated papers and some are AI-assisted, but…
There were 26,646 new submissions to arXiv in September 2025.
There were 26,646 new submissions to arXiv in September 2025.
October 3, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I know people are submitting AI-generated papers and some are AI-assisted, but…
There were 26,646 new submissions to arXiv in September 2025.
There were 26,646 new submissions to arXiv in September 2025.
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
The world produces enough food, yet billions lack access to healthy & sustainable diets. A new EAT–Lancet report presents a science-based approach to improve health, safeguard our environment & provide for a projected 9.6 billion people by 2050.
🔗 bit.ly/3W7rxlP
🔗 bit.ly/3W7rxlP
October 3, 2025 at 7:29 AM
The world produces enough food, yet billions lack access to healthy & sustainable diets. A new EAT–Lancet report presents a science-based approach to improve health, safeguard our environment & provide for a projected 9.6 billion people by 2050.
🔗 bit.ly/3W7rxlP
🔗 bit.ly/3W7rxlP
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
from worst to best versions (off the top of my head)
September 25, 2025 at 2:28 PM
from worst to best versions (off the top of my head)
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
We're are now accepting applications for an exciting DPhil at the @oxprimarycare.bsky.social, *FUNDED* by the THRIVING Food Futures research hub!
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
Crowd-pleasers or food fights? Exploring UK public support and objection to divisive policies that aim to reduce the environmental harm caused by the food system
www.phc.ox.ac.uk
September 22, 2025 at 8:34 AM
We're are now accepting applications for an exciting DPhil at the @oxprimarycare.bsky.social, *FUNDED* by the THRIVING Food Futures research hub!
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
Interesting blog from @kdeloyde.bsky.social @bristoltarg.bsky.social following up their trial from a few years ago of the effect of adding alcohol-free beer options in pubs (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....).
So what's been happening with those pubs and their alcohol-free offerings since?
So what's been happening with those pubs and their alcohol-free offerings since?
🔊Blog out today: How a simple swap led to lasting changes in pub and bars across South West England - What happened after the alcohol-free draught beer introduction study?
bit.ly/4mzFi7C
bit.ly/4mzFi7C
September 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Interesting blog from @kdeloyde.bsky.social @bristoltarg.bsky.social following up their trial from a few years ago of the effect of adding alcohol-free beer options in pubs (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....).
So what's been happening with those pubs and their alcohol-free offerings since?
So what's been happening with those pubs and their alcohol-free offerings since?
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
🔊 Exciting research role available if you're interested in applying evidence synthesis to food policy and public health. Part of a @nihr.bsky.social study evaluating supermarket policies restricting the use of price promotions.
Closes 8th October. Further details 👇 www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
Closes 8th October. Further details 👇 www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
www.ucl.ac.uk
September 18, 2025 at 9:06 AM
🔊 Exciting research role available if you're interested in applying evidence synthesis to food policy and public health. Part of a @nihr.bsky.social study evaluating supermarket policies restricting the use of price promotions.
Closes 8th October. Further details 👇 www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
Closes 8th October. Further details 👇 www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
🚨 NEW: Britain’s most powerful people are still 5x more likely to have been privately educated than the general population.
Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵
Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵
September 18, 2025 at 6:30 AM
🚨 NEW: Britain’s most powerful people are still 5x more likely to have been privately educated than the general population.
Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵
Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
As part of the celebrations of our 10th anniversary as a UCL Department, we have launched an inaugural lecture series. You can watch the first here and there will be more to come this academic year! www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/departme...
SRI Inaugural Lectures
Inaugural lectures hosted by the UCL Social Research Institute.
www.ucl.ac.uk
September 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
As part of the celebrations of our 10th anniversary as a UCL Department, we have launched an inaugural lecture series. You can watch the first here and there will be more to come this academic year! www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/departme...
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
I seem to have been discussing pilot and feasibility studies a lot this week. One question often asked is how big should my pilot/feasibility study be? 1/6
#MethodologyMonday #124
#MethodologyMonday #124
September 8, 2025 at 6:42 AM
I seem to have been discussing pilot and feasibility studies a lot this week. One question often asked is how big should my pilot/feasibility study be? 1/6
#MethodologyMonday #124
#MethodologyMonday #124
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
INSPECT-SR: A tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials.
INSPECT-SR: A tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials.
INSPECT-SR: a tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials
The integrity of evidence synthesis is threatened by problematic randomised controlled trials (RCTs). These are RCTs where there are serious concerns about the trustworthiness of the data or findings....
www.medrxiv.org
September 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
INSPECT-SR: A tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials.
INSPECT-SR: A tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials.
Reposted by Gareth Hollands
September 4, 2025 at 7:59 AM