Behaviour as key to the pandemic: Lessons learned, initial insights

Now that we have reached a slower phase of the pandemic (in early summer 2022), it is time to reflect. What was our approach? What key insights have we gained? Which research methods have shown to be valuable? How did we obtain those insights, and how have we used them? And with respect to the future: what can be improved? And what is needed for doing so?

This document contains an account of how we erected the Behavioural Unit, followed by some overarching reflections on steps to ensure its effective use. Next, we present several specific lessons learned in three sections: Behaviour and Well-being, Research, and Implementation. With this report we provide a brief and to the point account, aimed at policymakers, and mindful of future needs and developments. A more extensive version follows in late 2022, based in part on lessons learned elsewhere.