Table 5 Guiding questions when developing collaborations between behavioural scientists and public health units

1. What are the specific public health challenges faced by Public Health Units (PHUs), and how do these translate to their goals and needs?

2. How can applied behavioural science contribute to addressing these goals and needs (e.g., exploring barriers to vaccination, designing strategies to promote vaccination)?

3. What are the metrics of success for PHUs, and how can these be aligned with behavioural research findings?

4. How can the collaboration between PHUs and behavioural scientists be structured to ensure mutual benefit?

5. How can the partnership between PHUs and behavioural scientists remain flexible to adapt to new public health emergencies or changes in community health profiles?

6. What communication strategies can be employed to effectively convey the findings and benefits of behavioural science interventions to diverse stakeholders?

7. What are the best practices to build capacity within PHU staff in the principles and applications of behavioural science to enhance in-house expertise?