°®Âþµº

Women and babies in prison research explored

Top child welfare experts have gathered at the °®Âþµº to discuss the wellbeing of babies and women in prison.

Professor Judith Phillips

Top child welfare experts have gathered at the °®Âþµº to discuss the wellbeing of babies and women in prison.

The University¡¯s renowned Centre for Child Wellbeing and Protection (CCWP) is hosting ¡®The Rose Project: Best for Babies¡¯ event today (12 May), in collaboration with Aberlour ¨C Scotland¡¯s children¡¯s charity. Speakers include °®Âþµº honorary graduate Dame Elish Angiolini and Tam Baillie, The Children and Young People's Commissioner in Scotland.

The public seminar, which is part of °®Âþµº¡¯s ongoing 50th anniversary year programme, supports the launch of CCWP and Aberlour¡¯s research into the wellbeing of babies and women in prison.

Event speaker Professor Judith Phillips, Deputy Principal (Research) at the University, said: ¡°Our Centre for Child Wellbeing and Protection is a shining example of the kind of interdisciplinary approach to research that we excel in, here at °®Âþµº. I was pleased to attend the launch of the Centre, just over a year ago, and am delighted at the progress it has made since then.

Original research

¡°The Centre brings together internationally-recognised experts in social work, child protection, education and maternal and child health. These multidisciplinary teams collaborate to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of vulnerable children ¨C whose development can be compromised by a range of personal, familial and social adversities.

¡°I know the University¡¯s commitment to improving the lives of some of our most vulnerable members of society ¨C and to robust, original research and education that will benefit children ¨C is shared by everyone joining our seminar.¡±

Fellow speakers include CCWP¡¯s Professor Brigid Daniel, and independent researcher Adelle Gardiner, who will provide an overview of their ¡®Best for Babies¡¯ research. They will be joined by event chair SallyAnn Kelly, Aberlour Chief Executive, and Rhona Hotchkiss, Governor of Cornton Vale.

The research was supported by a generous legacy from late Dr Elizabeth Rose, a highly-respected consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist who worked at Airthrey Castle Maternity Hospital and Cornton Vale prison.

Background information

Media enquiries to Lachlan Mackinnon, Communications, 01786 466 436, or communications@stir.ac.uk