Prof. Fiona Dykes

Professor of Maternal and Infant Health

School of Community Health and Midwifery

+44 (0) 1772 89 3828

fcdykes@uclan.ac.uk

Fiona Dykes leads the Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN) and is convenor of the annual three day, international, interdisciplinary MAINN Conference. She holds Visiting Professorships at Dalarna University, Sweden, University of Western Sydney and Chinese University of Hong Kong. Fiona has a particular interest in the global, socio-cultural and political influences upon infant and young child feeding practices.

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Fiona has worked on WHO, UNICEF, European Commission, Government (DH), NHS, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), TrusTECH® Service Innovation (UK), Wellcome Trust, Best Beginnings, British Council and Australian Research Council (ARC) funded projects. She is currently involved in projects in the USA (Yale University) and Scandinavia to include being a member of the advisory board on the Separation and Closeness Experiences in the Neonatal Environment Project (SCENE).

Fiona is a member of the editorial board for Maternal and Child Nutrition, the Wiley-Blackwell published international journal (editorial office in MAINN) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Fiona is author of over eighty peer reviewed publications and several books to include her monograph, Breastfeeding in Hospital: Mothers, Midwives and the Production Line (Routledge) and co-edited books Infant and Young Child Feeding: Challenges to Implementing a Global Strategy (Wiley-Blackwell) and Ethnographic Research in Maternal and Child Health (Routledge).

Qualifications

PhD, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sheffield, 2004
MA Health Research, Lancaster University, [Distinction], 1998
Cert Ed, University of Manchester, [Distinction], 1989
Registered Midwife, Medway, Kent, 1984

Publications

Dykes F and Flacking R (eds) (2015) Ethnographic Research in Maternal and Child Health. London: Routledge.

Thomson G, Dykes F, Downe S (2011) (eds). Qualitative Research in Midwifery and Childbirth: Phenomenological Approaches. London: Routledge.

Dykes F and Hall Moran V (2009) (eds) Infant and Young Child Feeding: Challenges to implementing a Global Strategy. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Dykes F (2006) Breastfeeding in Hospital: Mothers, Midwives and the Production Line. London: Routledge

More publications

Projects

2015-2017: EU Horizon 2020 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship for Dr Tanya Cassidy (Ireland). Dykes F (PI) 195,455.00 Euros to UCLAN.

2014-2015: Best Beginnings/DH Evaluation of Parental Perceptions of ‘Small Wonders’ DVD in NICUs. Dykes F (PI), Thomson G, Crossland N £30,000 to UCLAN

From 2013: NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC). Improving Public Health and Reducing Health Inequalities. Theme Leader: Popay J (Lancaster); Co-applicants: Whitehead, Capewell, Barr, Milligan, Hollingsworth, Zucchelli, Hatton, Holland, Limmer, Downe S (UCLan), Dykes F (UCLAN). Total Grant: £1,499,830.

2011-2013: NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme. BIBS; Benefits of Incentives for Breastfeeding and Smoking cessation: a platform study for a trial (Stirling, UCLAN, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Glasgow). Hoddinott P (PI - Stirling), Dykes F (PI - UCLan), Bauld L, Campbell M, Ludbrook A, Sniettahotta F. Total Grant: £322,127 with £64,372 to UCLAN.

2011-2014: The Jirga and its potential for community engagement in research in North West Pakistan – an ethnographic exploration. Lowe N (PI), Lhussier M, Zaman M, Dykes F. Funded by Wellcome Trust: International Engagement Awards WT096707MA, £30,000 to UCLan.

2012-2017: Awarded Strategic Health Authority (Cumbria and Lancashire) Doctoral Studentship - Christopher Smith. ‘Obesity and complementary feeding: beliefs and practices in North West England’.

2010-2015: Awarded Strategic Health Authority (Cumbria and Lancashire) Doctoral Studentship (Anna Byrom). ‘Macro-interventions into micro-cultures: WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.

2009-2013: A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices, Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant application number: LP0991564, Schmied V (CI); Fenwick J; Gribble K; McGrath D; Sheehan A, Dykes F (PI). Grant to UWS: Aus $94,000.

2008-2012: Four year commissioned longitudinal evaluation of implementation of WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), NHS North Lancashire. Dykes F (PI), Thomson G, Bilson A. £86,000 to UCLan.

  • Thomson G, Bilson A, Dykes F (2012) ‘Changing Hearts and Minds’: An evaluation of implementation of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative in the community. Midwifery 28, 258–264.
  • Thomson G and Dykes F (2011) Women’s Sense of Coherence of Infant Feeding. Maternal and Child Nutrition 7, 160-174.
  • Thomson G, Dykes F, Bilson A, Putsey J, Whitmore M (2010) Tackling the Infant Formula Industries. Public Health Nutrition 13(1), 149–150.

2009-2011: Commissioned longitudinal evaluation of breastfeeding peer support project (as part of WHO/UNICEF BFI) in NHS Blackpool. Dykes F (PI), Thomson G, (Year 1 funded by NHS Blackpool, Year 2/3 by BfN). £43,000 to UCLan.

2009-2010: Commissioned research: Perceptions of vulnerable groups re: Maternal and Child Health Services in NHS Central Lancs. Dykes F (PI), Thomson G. Income: £14,000 to UCLan.

  • Thomson G, Dykes F, Singh G, Cawley L, Dey P (2013) A public health perspective of women’s experience of antenatal care: an exploration of insights from a community consultation. Midwifery 29, 211-216.

2010-2011: Socio-cultural influences upon women’s perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding and associated maternity service provision. NHS Ashton, Wigan and Leigh, Dykes F (PI) £20,000 to UCLan.

2010-2011: DH commissioned evaluation of the Information Feeding Information Team (IFIT) set up in North West England (to establish a national model). Thomson G (PI), Dykes F, DH £45,000 to UCLan.

  • Dykes F, Richardson-Foster H, Crossland H, Thomson G (2012) ‘Dancing on a thin line’: Evaluation of an Infant Feeding Information Team to implement the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Midwifery 28, 765-771.

2010: Self Efficacy Evaluation of DH Antenatal packs. Thomson and Dykes DH £4,700 (Consultancy)

2010-2011: Expert Testimony – National Social Marketing Centre/NICE: Social marketing of breastfeeding: impact on breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks. Dykes F (PI) £5,000 to UCLan (Consultancy).

2011: Commissioned Evaluation of the National Breastfeeding Helpline. Thomson G (PI), Dykes F. DH (National Breastfeeding Network) £40,000 to UCLan.

2012: Evaluation of Baby Friendly accreditation: peer support and evidence of impact for building social capital Thomson G (PI) NHS North Lancashire. £21,847 to UCLan.

2009-2011: Postdoctoral Research Fellow appt. Dr Renee Flacking. Comparative Neonatal Unit ethnography with focus on infant feeding practices (Sweden and England). RF received Visiting Fellowship from UCLan. Dykes F (PI), Flacking R. Funding from Åkerham & Engström Foundation, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University £50,000.

2008-2010: University Western Sydney (UWS) Research Committee Competitive Grants. WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative: Exploring the implementation and dissemination of a global policy. Schmied V, Sheehan A, Dykes F (joint PIs). Grant: Aus $23,967.

2007-2012 Eurreca Network of Excellence. Harmonising nutrient recommendations across Europe with special focus on vulnerable groups and consumer understanding. FP6036196-2(FOOD). Funded under the EC Framework 6. 13.2 million Euros for consortium over 5 years. Aggett P, Dykes F, Hall Moran V, Lowe N: £160,000 to UCLAN.

  • Lowe N, Dykes F, Skinner A-L, Patel S, Warthon-Medina M, Decsi T, Fekete K, Souverein O, Dullemeijer C, Cavelaars A, Serra-Majem L, Nissensohn M, Bel S, Moreno L, Hermoso M, Vollhardt C, Berti C, Cetin I, Gurinovic M, Novakovic R, Harvey L, Collings R, Hall Moran V (2013) Estimating zinc requirements for deriving dietary reference values Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 53, 1110-23.
  • Hall Moran V, Skinner A, Warthon-Medina M, Patel S, Dykes, F, Souverein O, Dullemeijer C, Prez Rodrigo C, Lowe N (2012) The relationship between zinc intake and serum/plasma zinc concentration in children: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Nutrients 4, 841-858; doi:10.3390/nu4080841 (open access).
  • Hall Moran V, Skinner A, Warthon-Medina M, Patel S, Dykes, F, Souverein O, Dullemeijer C, Lowe, N (2012) The relationship between zinc intake and serum/plasma zinc concentration in pregnant and lactating women: A systematic review with dose-response meta-analyses. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 26, 74-79 (IF 2.176). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2012.04.003.
  • Hall Moran V, Lowe N, Crossland N, Berti C, Cetin I, Hermoso M, Koletzko B, Dykes F (2010) Nutritional requirements during lactation. Towards European alignment of reference values: the EURRECA network. Maternal and Child Nutrition 6, 39-54.
  • Berti C, Desci T, Dykes F, Hermoso M, Koletzko B, Massari M, Moreno L, Serra-Majem L, Cetin I (2010) Critical issues in setting nutritional micronutrient recommendations for pregnant women: an insight. Maternal and Child Nutrition 6, 5-22.
  • Hermoso M, Tabacchi G, Iglesia-Altaba I, Sanchez-Villegas A, Brito N, Bel-Serrat S, Moreno-Aznar L, García-Santos Y, García-Luzardo Mª del R, Santana-Salguero B, Peña-Quintana L, Serrá-Majem L, Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Decsi T, Benetou V, Plada M, Trichopoulou A, Raats M, Doets EM, Berti C, Cetin I and Koletzko B (2010) The nutritional requirements of infants. Towards EU alignment of reference values: the EURRECA network. Maternal and Child Nutrition 6, 55-83.

2007: Dykes commissioned by DH (North West Public Health) – to co-ordinate team in writing Addressing Health Inequalities: A North West Breastfeeding Framework for Action. £5,000

2007-2008: Consultant on TrustTECH Service Innovation Project, East Lancs NHS Trust. Evaluation of Community Breastfeeding Peer support ‘Little Angels’ £1,200.

2006: Weight monitoring in infants and young children. Review for NICE - DH (Sachs M and Dykes F), DH. £4,363.

2005: Consultancy contract for Public Health Collaborating Centre for Maternal & Child Nutrition (funded by NICE), University of York. Project: Practitioner review and ratification of NICE Breastfeeding guidelines: £4,500.

2003: Synthesis of ~ 80 DH funded infant feeding projects. DH funded Competitive tender. Dykes F (PI) £20,000

  • Dykes F (2005) Government funded breastfeeding peer support projects: Implications for practice. Maternal & Child Nutrition 1, 21-31.
  • Dykes F (2003) Infant Feeding Initiative: A Report Evaluating the Breastfeeding Practice Projects 1999-2002. DH, London, UK.

2001: “Breastfeeding support: targeting adolescents”. Competitive DH funded research grant. Dykes F and Hall Moran V. £20,000 (£5,000 additional funding from UCLAN)

  • Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Burt S, Shuck C (2006) Breastfeeding support for adolescents: similarities and differences in the approach of midwives and qualified breastfeeding supporters. International Breastfeeding Journal 1, 23.
  • Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Edwards J, Burt S, Whitmore M (2005) An evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and voluntary breastfeeding supporters using the Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST). Maternal & Child Nutrition 1, 241-249.
  • Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Edwards J, Burt S, Whitmore M (2005) An evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and voluntary breastfeeding supporters using the Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST). Maternal & Child Nutrition 1, 241-249.
  • Dykes F, Hall Moran V, Burt S, Edwards J, Whitmore M (2003) Adolescent mothers and breastfeeding – experiences and support needs: an exploratory study. Journal of Human Lactation 19, 391-401.