My First 1000 Days is a large multidisciplinary project which brings together experts across several disciplines and research groups, who work to understand children’s early development and to develop practical measures to overcome inequalities. The My First 1000 Days project is governed by a Steering Group, Project Management Group, Stakeholder Impact Group and External Advisory Board, as shown below.
Steering Group
The Steering Group are the ultimate decision-making body with My First 1000 Days and makes overall strategic decisions concerning the project. The Steering Group meets every 4 months and is Chaired by Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, University of Leeds.
- Duncan Ford
- Professor Jason Halford, Professor of Biological Science and Health Behaviours, Head of School of Psychology and My First 1000 Days Principal Investigator, University of Leeds
- Professor Linda McGowan, Professor of Applied Health Research, MyFirst1000Days Project Co-Investigator and Chair of Stakeholder Impact Group, University of Leeds.
- Professor Karen Birch, Professor of Exercise Science, Head of School of Biomedical Sciences and Executive Dean of Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds
- Professor Mark Kearney, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Clinical Cardiologist and Executive Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds.
- Professor Adam Glaser, Professor and Consultant of Paediatric Oncology and CHORAL Director, University of Leeds
- Mr Nigel Simpson, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and Senior Lecturer, University of Leeds.
- Dr Shirley-Anne Paul, MyFirst1000Days Senior Project Manager, University of Leeds
- Dr Jennifer Baker, Associate Professor and Chair of MyFirst1000Days Exeternal Advisory Board, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Ms Kathryn Ingold, Public Health Lead for Children and Families, Leeds City Council
- Ms Gemma Mann, Children, Young People and Families Workstream Lead, Department of Health and Social Care
- Ms Stephanie Pim, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) member
Project Management Group
The Project Management Group are the decision implementing body of the project and oversees the management of the project. The Project Management Group meets every month and is Chaired by Professor Jason Halford, Professor of Biological Science and Health Behaviours, Head of School of Psychology and My First 1000 Days Principal Investigator, University of Leeds.
- Professor Linda McGowan, Professor of Applied Health Research, MyFirst1000Days Deputy Principal Investigator and Chair of Stakeholder Impact Group, University of Leeds.
- Dr Shirley-Anne Paul, MyFirst1000Days Senior Project Manager, University of Leeds
- Dr Jonathan Darling, Associate Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health, Vice President of the Royal Colleage of Paediatric and Child Health and Member of the CHORAL leadership team, University of Leeds
- Dr Symone Detmar, Principal Advisor Child Health, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
- Ms Octavia Wiseman, Research Fellow – REACH Pregnancy Circles Randomised Controlled Trial and Country Lead for the International Group Care in the First Thousand Days (GC_1000) implementation study, City University of London
External Advisory Board
The External Advisory Board consists of independent and national or global experts in their respective fields who will assist the Steering Group and the Project Management Group by providing strategic overview. The External Advisory Board meets every 4 months. It is Chaired by Dr Jennifer Baker, Associate Professor, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research.
Food and Nutrition
- Professor Mary Rudolf, Professor of Population Health, Bar-llan University
- Professor Keith Godfrey, Professor of Epidemiology & Human Development and NIHR Southampton Biomedial Research Centre Lifecourse Nutrition, Lifestyle & Health Theme Lead, University of Southampton
Language & Cognitive Development
- Sally Hogg, Senior Policy Fellow at the Play in Education, Development and Learning Research Centre (PEDAL), University of Cambridge
- Professor Jenny Gibson, Associate Professor in Psychology and Education, University of Cambridge
Physical Activity
- Professor Andy Pringle, Professor of Physical Activity & Health Intervention, University of Derby
Co-producing a Disability-Inclusive Model of Group Care
- Anna Gardiner, Assistant Director (Health), Council for Disabled Children
- Dr Timothy Ross, Scientist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation hospital
Stakeholder Impact Group
The Stakeholder Impact Group assists the Steering Group and External Advisory Board that the project remains relevant to stakeholder groups and that the outputs of My First 1000 Days have optimal impact. The Stakeholder Impact Group meets every 6 months. It is Chaired by Professor Linda McGowan, Professor of Applied Health Research, MyFirst1000Days Deputy Principal Investigator, University of Leeds.
- Jenny Roddy, Consultant Public Health Specialist Midwife, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Kathryn Ingold, Chief Officer and Consultant in Public Health, Leeds City Council
- Sally Goodwin Mills, Advanced Health Improvement Specialist, Public Health, Leeds City Council
- Nicola Goldsborough, Advanced Health Improvement Specialist (Maternity & Infants), Public Health, Leeds City Council
- Amanda Ashe, Children Centre and Early Start Lead, Leeds City Council
- Emma Newton, Public Health Lead for promoting oral health, Leeds City Council
- Rhonda Mitchell, Senior Infant Mental Health Practitioner/Systemic Psychotherapist, Leeds Community Heathcare NHS Trust
- Dr Liz McKechnie, Consultant Neonatologist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Emma Ross, Multi Systemic Therapy Programme Manager, Leeds City Council
- 0-19 public health integrated nursing service, Leeds City Council
- Christian Bunting, Director of 50 Things To Do Before You’re Five & Bradford Birth to 19
- Dr Linda Evans, Sports and Exercise Medicine Registrar and GP, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Rachel Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Health Matters
- Dr Zoe Darwin, Reader in Health Research, University of Huddersfield
- Anna Cockerham, Midwife, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
- Cheryl Wyatt, Senior Research Midwife, Lancaster Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
- Sadiya Salim, Partnership Development Coordinator, Child Friendly Leeds & Baby Week Operational Lead.
