Social experiences of breastfeeding: Building bridges between research and policy: An ESRC-funded seminar series in the UK

Dowling, Sally

Abstract

Dr Sally Dowling (UWE), Dr Kate Boyer (Cardiff University) and Prof David Pontin (University of South Wales) are in receipt of funding from one of the major UK research funding councils, the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) to run series of ‘seminars’ (day conferences) in 2015 and 2016. Under the title ‘Social experiences of breastfeeding: building bridges between research and policy’ the six seminars in the series bring together academics from a range of disciplines with those involved in breastfeeding education, practice, activism, and policy. Our aim is to further understanding of women’s embodied, affective and day-to-day practices in trying to breastfeed through talking about these experiences across a series of events.

Three events have been held so far, in Bristol and Cardiff, with three more planned for 2016. Each has been well-attended by academics, local and national policy makers, a range of practitioners (both professional and voluntary), Early Career Researchers/PhD students and midwifery and public health students. Attendees include a funded ‘core group’; this enables the continuation of discussions across and between seminars. Presentations on each occasion have been from one international academic and two UK academics, plus one person from policy and practice. Each event has been attended by around 40 people and all have been well evaluated.

Planned outcomes include an edited book but already other outcomes are apparent, including a number of developing collaborations. Ways to capture emerging links between academics, policy-makers and practitioners and opportunities for influencing policy are being explored as the series progresses.

This presentation will outline the rationale for applying for the seminar series funding and discuss the progress of the project to date. Drawing on data about attendees and from evaluations the discussion will reflect on the process and on the success, to date, of ‘building bridges between research and policy’.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 11th Breastfeeding and Feminism International Conference
• Start Date: Mar 20, 2016
• End Date: Mar 22, 2016
• Acceptance Date: Mar 20, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: ESRC seminar, breastfeeding, research, policy, practice
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/918503
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 11th Breastfeeding and Feminism International Conference