Season 2, Episode 2: Cohorts That Drive Impactful Change in Communities w/ Professor Rosie McEachan

On this episode of the Emerging Scholar Podcast, we are delighted to welcome Professor Rosie McEachan, Director of the Born in Bradford research program—an internationally recognized, people-powered research initiative that follows the lives of more than 15,000 families in Bradford, England. Born in Bradford is widely regarded as a leading example of how large-scale cohort studies can be designed with communities to generate evidence that improves health, reduces inequities, and informs policy.

Professor McEachan is a proud Scottish Bradfordian and an accomplished applied health researcher whose work bridges the gap between academic research and real-world impact. Her research spans birth and pregnancy cohorts, environmental determinants of health such as air quality and green space, and the development and evaluation of complex interventions. Central to her approach is co-production—ensuring that communities are not merely participants in research, but active partners in shaping research questions, methods, and outcomes.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the Born in Bradford pregnancy and family cohorts as an exemplary model for designing, developing, and sustaining cohort studies that lead to scientific breakthroughs. We discuss how these discoveries have informed clinical practice, driven rapid policy change, and improved environmental conditions for women and children in Bradford. Professor McEachan also reflects on the importance of working across sectors, including health, municipal governance, and the built environment, to translate evidence into action.

This episode will resonate with emerging scholars and established researchers alike, particularly those interested in cohort studies, community-engaged research, and addressing health inequities in under served populations. It offers a compelling vision of how research can—and should—be done to create meaningful, lasting change.

Papers & Resources That We Touched On In This Episode

Cohort Profile Update: Born in Bradford: http://alturl.com/qk636
Child educational progress in Born in Bradford pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes and also exposed to maternal common mental disorders: http://alturl.com/866ae
Inequalities and indoor air pollution: a prospective observational study of particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in 309 UK homes from the Born in Bradford cohort study: http://alturl.com/cui4h
The effect of a School Street intervention on children's active travel, satisfaction with their street, and perception of road safety: a natural experimental evaluation: http://alturl.com/a7hfp
Impact of an urban city-wide Bradford clean air plan on health service use and nitrogen dioxide 24 months after implementation: An interrupted time series analysis: http://alturl.com/kqx8d

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