Following a PhD in Human Genetics, Kathryn retrained as a secondary school science teacher. As programme manager for LifeLab, she has led the development of the education programmes, and the randomized controlled trials to evaluate the programme. 

To adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programmes were refocused to be delivered in-school and online (www.lifelabonline.org). With funding from the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), a new suite of resources to support the Saliva Testing Programme and engage children and young people with understanding the science behind the public health messages and how the choices we make can help to keep ourselves and our families safe were developed. 

A key objective is to engage children and adolescents with understanding the science behind the health messages thereby empowering them to make healthier lifestyle choices; increasing scientific literacy to increase health literacy.

A successful research scientist with a PhD in Human Genetics, Kathryn retrained as a secondary school teacher, consolidating her interest in Science, Scientific education and Scientific literacy. As the programme manager for LifeLab, since 2009, she has helped to shape, from the beginning, the development of the education programmes, along with leading the randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach.

A key objective is to engage children and adolescents with understanding the science behind the health messages thereby empowering them to make healthier lifestyle choices; increasing scientific literacy to increase health literacy. 

Kathryn ensures that children and young people are involved in the co-creation of the education modules and other engagement activities and led the work to set up the LifeLab Youth Panel.

To adapt to the constraints imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathryn led the team to refocus the programmes to be delivered in-school and online, whilst also supporting the pilot phase of the Southampton Saliva Testing Programme. With funding from DHSC a new suite of resources was developed to support children and young people with understanding the science behind the public health messages that we were being asked to follow.