Studying a city: can research transform communities?

When Science Finds a Way

What can you learn from studying 40,000 people in one city? A UK study called Born In Bradford is doing just that, and it’s a concept that could be applied around the world.

It began in 2007, tracking pregnant women, their children and families. Over the decades, the study has changed Bradford, impacting policy on education, early years development and even the environment. But it has also provided robust evidence on health and wellbeing that is relevant in any city.

In this episode, we hear from some of the parents who’ve taken part in the study on how it’s impacted their lives. And Alisha is in discussion with Doctor John Wright, who founded the study, to explore how an open-ended piece of research like this can deliver exciting results, change lives and bond communities – in Bradford, and around the world.

When Science Finds a Way is brought to you by Wellcome, an independent global foundation that supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. For more information visit www.wellcome.org/news-and-reports/podcast.