Helen Bedford

Professor Helen Bedford is Professor of Children's Health in the Department of Population, Policy & Practice at University College London's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. She also holds an Honorary Professorship at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. With over 35 years of experience since joining the Institute of Child Health in 1986, her work focuses on child public health with special emphasis on childhood immunization.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) from University of London (2000)
• MSc (Master of Science) from King's College London (1986)
• BSc (Bachelor of Science) from London South Bank University (1980)
• Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education from University College London

Professor Bedford's research program centers on childhood vaccination, examining determinants of vaccine uptake, vaccine hesitancy, and inequalities in immunization coverage across diverse populations. Her work has directly informed national policy, including NICE guidance on reducing differences in vaccine uptake in children. She has conducted significant research among Gypsy Traveller communities and has been instrumental in developing evidence for vaccine communication strategies.

Her recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in vaccine research, with a focus on timeliness of vaccinations, understanding barriers to immunization, and evaluating interventions to improve vaccine uptake. The research employs sophisticated mixed methods approaches, combining qualitative insights with quantitative analysis of large cohort studies and routine health records to address pressing public health challenges.

Professional recognitions include:

• Honorary Fellowship from the Institute of Health Visiting (2021)
• Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health (2006)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2003)

As an educator, Professor Bedford serves as Co-Director (Education) at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Co-Director of the MSc in Paediatrics and Child Health. She teaches and supervises across multiple UCL programs and contributes to national immunization training for healthcare professionals. She frequently engages with media as a vaccine communication expert and has advised numerous organizations including the Science Media Centre since its inception. She chairs the Personal Child Health Record group overseeing the National Standard PCHR (the "red book") issued to all new parents in the UK.