Professor Monica Lakhanpaul is an academic researcher and practising paediatric consultant. She is committed to improving the lives of those in the most vulnerable communities through holistic, cross-sectoral interdisciplinary interventions that encompass health, environmental and educational factors. Her research tackles some of the most pressing issues facing families experiencing marginalisation in UK and globally such as early years, nutrition, asthma, child development, mental health whilst addressing important societal issues such as homelessness. She uses participatory research, citizen science, and arts-based approaches ensuring that communities are involved in co-developing holistic integrated solutions. As a science communicator, she works to not only raise awareness of the challenges that communities face and how they can be addressed, but also to build greater understanding of, and interest in, research and academia among the general public. To this end, she co-hosts the UCL podcast on the SDGs and is a BSA Media Fellow. She is most recognised for being the first appointed Clinical Director leading development of National guidelines for children in the UK for the National Institute of Care and Clinical Excellence, receiving the Asian Women of Achievement award in 2012 and leading the NEON Programme which won the RSPH Health at Every Age award. She has over 180 publications to her name and numerous book chapters.
