Building Capability in Behavioural Research Conference

Curium was delighted to be the headline sponsor of the Building Capability in Behavioural Research 2026 Conference, bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners and industry leaders to explore the future of behavioural research.

The conference focused on some of today’s biggest challenges, including digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), health, and environmental sustainability. It created an exciting space for people from different sectors to share ideas, build new partnerships and discuss how behavioural research can help shape better policy and improve everyday lives.

As headline sponsor, we were proud to support an event that champions collaboration and innovation. Behavioural research has an increasingly important role to play in helping organisations understand how people think, make decisions and respond to change. Bringing together expertise from academia, government, business and the voluntary sector is essential if we are to tackle complex challenges and create meaningful impact.

One of the highlights of the conference was Curium’s presentation, facilitated by Dr Kate Bailey. The session showcased recent research into the opportunities and challenges that senior leaders face in adopting AI. A core finding was that leaders are framing AI adoption as a people and cultural challenge, not a technology one. The session explored how adaptive capabilities and behaviours could help leaders navigate this new world. It was fantastic to see so many attendees actively sharing their perspectives, asking questions and continuing the conversation long after the session had ended. The positive feedback reflected the growing interest in understanding how to support leaders to use AI responsibly to create value.

The discussions throughout the day reinforced just how quickly AI is changing the research, policy and business landscapes. As organisations continue to explore these developments, it is more important than ever to understand both the opportunities and the practical considerations that come with adopting AI tools.

If you would like to explore these themes further, you can read more in our latest AI report, where we examine in more depth the challenge facing senior leaders, the opportunities it presents and the considerations organisations should keep in mind as the technology continues to evolve.

We would like to thank everyone who visited us, attended Dr Kate Bailey’s session and contributed to the conversations throughout the conference. It was a fantastic event, and we look forward to continuing to support the behavioural research community as it grows, collaborates and embraces new ways of working.