I believe the best health products don't just work — they change behaviour. That takes design, science, and a genuine understanding of people.
Get in touch
hello@garybirnie.co.uk
Location
Glasgow, Scotland
Socials
LinkedIn
PhD Candidate. Behavioural Scientist. Senior Service Designer.
I'm a Service Designer, researcher, and PhD Candidate at the University of Stirling, where I research inequalities in outdoor physical activity across Scotland. I've spent over a decade applying behavioural science to digital health products — from NHS apps used by millions to AI-powered self-management tools.
I also serve on the board of the Scottish Sports Association, run ultra marathons, and coach U15 football. I don't just study physical activity — I live it.
I've spent over a decade at the intersection of UX design, behavioural science, and research — applying all three to products that genuinely change how people live. I work with health organisations, digital health teams, and researchers who want to build things that actually work.
How I work
Most digital health products fail not because of bad design, but because they don't understand what actually drives human behaviour. I start there.
Start with behaviour, not screens
From academic literature to user interviews to co-design workshops — every design decision I make is grounded in research. That's not just good practice, it's the only way to build things that work.
Evidence in, evidence out
From behavioural economics to green exercise to the psychology of habit formation — I stay close to the research so the work stays sharp.
Curious about everything
Public speaking
I speak at industry and academic events on behaviour change, health technology, and evidence-based design.
Past presentations
'The Motivational Effect of Goals on Physical Activity'
- Scottish Student Sport Conference
- Scottish Physical Activity Research Conference
- UX Edinburgh
'Applying Behavioural Insights to Improve Customer Experience'
- ITSX Summit 2023
'Incorporating AI into Projects'
- Glasgow School of Art
'100 Miles & Running: Augmented Reality in Long Distance Running'
- UX Glasgow
'The Rise of Augmented Reality'
- GLUG