MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Consultation Response

The MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow is an interdisciplinary group of sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, epidemiologists, geographers, political scientists, public health physicians, statisticians, information scientists, trial managers and others. The Unit receives core-funding from the Medical Research Council and the Chief Scientist Office in the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, as well as grant funding for specific projects from a range of sources. We conduct research to understand the determinants of population health and health inequalities, and to develop and test interventions to improve health and reduce inequalities, using a wide variety of methods including qualitative research, the collection, linkage and analysis of social survey and routinely collected data, evidence synthesis, randomised controlled trials and natural experimental studies. Further information about the Unit is available at We have responded to questions 2 and 4, relating to transport mode choice and demand, and active travel (walking and cycling). Transport mode choice and demand 2. To what degree are travel behaviours such as mode choice (including freight transport) and demand amenable to intervention? Which policy interventions change behaviours or demand and why? What does research tell us about the types of interventions that fail to change behaviours, particularly over the long term? Evidence relating to transport satisfaction, mode choice and journey destination Earlier this year we published the findings of a thirteen year study describing changes i