Child welfare focus for social policy research unit
Laura McCardle
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Studies into the quality of life of children living in London, as well as nutrition and the role of fathers are set to be priorities for the Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU) in the future.
Professor Margaret O’Brien, TCRU's new director, highlighted the three areas as likely research topics during a London event yesterday to mark the unit's 40th anniversary.
O’Brien, who joined the TCRU at the beginning of October from the University of East Anglia, said she was interested in researching the quality of life for children living in London after a lengthy period living away from the capital.
"An early priority for me just coming back to London is the quality of life of children in London.
"Thomas Coram's work on abandoned children and disadvantaged children is very relevant to today. He wanted to do good for the poor kids of London."
She added that the topic of “food, families and nutrition” will also be a key area of research for TCRU, which will be supported by a grant from the European Research Council.
She also wants the unit to “deepen its knowledge” on the role of fathers and the relationships they have with their children.
O’Brien said that intervening in children's lives early is crucial to their future success.
“A country that fails in its commitment to protect its most vulnerable citizens is setting up problems for the future.”
Professor Jack Tizard, who believed that research with strong policy and practical relevance was crucial to improving society and individual lives, founded the TCRU in 1973.
Based at the Institute of Education in London, it currently has 23 researchers whose work focuses on children and young people.
