BENC is a research cluster that promotes and facilitates experimental and behavioural research in the domains of academia, policy and business, promotes the international visibility of Northeast England as leader in these areas. The broad measures we seek to excel in include publications in leading academic journals, successful funding initiatives and grant applications, the training of PhD students, undergraduate and graduate student participation in research. In addition, creating this cluster will help identify and support a critical mass of expertise under one visible banner, greatly increasing the potential impactful outreach within the public and private sectors.