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School of Community Health and Midwifery
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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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2001: “Breastfeeding support: targeting adolescents”. Competitive DH funded research grant. Dykes F and Hall Moran V. £20,000 (£5,000 additional funding from UCLAN)
• Visiting Professor, Dalarna University, Sweden
• Visiting Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Adjunct Professor, University of Western Sydney (UWS)
• UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative - University Standards working group member
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Research Advisory Group member
Maternal and Child Nutrition
• Acta Paediatrica
• Maternal and Child Nutrition
• Archives of Diseases in Childhood
• Social Science & Medicine
• Public Health Nutrition
• Midwifery
• Journal of Perinatal Medicine
• Journal of Human Lactation
• Medical Anthropology
• British Medical Journal (Open)