Two leading child protection researchers, Professor Lucie Cluver and Professor Frances Gardner, have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for their global contributions to reducing violence against children and improving young people’s wellbeing.
In an interview with Dr. Isang Awah, Professor Cluver described the surreal moment she discovered she had been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE). She initially mistook the official letter for a routine tax notice. She left it unopened for two days, only later realising it was a formal invitation acknowledging her international impact in child protection. Watch the full interview here.
Professor Gardner was also honoured, receiving the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for her lifelong work advancing evidence-based parenting programmes and violence prevention worldwide. In a separate interview with Dr. Awah, she highlighted the importance of sustained research and global collaboration to support families and protect children. Watch the full interview here.
Watch the full interviews to hear both professors reflect on their careers, the evolution of evidence-based parenting programmes, and the ongoing work needed to safeguard children across the world.