Profile

Photo:

Greta Defeyter

    • About Me:

      I am a mum and I have a cat, called Alan. I have ADHD which means that my brain works really fast and I find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time. I love doing crazy things! During the day I research childhood food poverty, what children eat, and I work with children and young people to design research projects. I have just started to learn how to box.

    • My pronouns are:

      she/her

    • My Work:

      I research food insecurity and the affect this has on families, children and young people. My research has supported campaigns by Marcus Rashford and the Mayor of London, and the Government’s £220 M p.a Holiday Activities and Food Programme. My research into breakfast and its effect on cognitive processes supported the role out the UK’s School Breakfast Programme. I am currently working with the World Food Programme to provide evidence to government’s from across the world about food insecurity, food programmes and the effects of food insecurity on children and young people.

    • Read more

      I have spent the last 20 years researching poverty, food poverty and how poverty affects the lives of parents and families. Initially I studies physics but I went on to study psychology at university and I was awarded a doctorate of psychology in 2003 from the University of Essex. I lead a lab, called the Healthy Living Lab at Northumbria University that includes academic colleagues from nutrition, psychology, social work, sociology, sports science, education, and economics. I write and publish paper on school breakfast clubs, school meals, holiday activities for children, and food poverty. In 2015, I became a Fellow of the British Psychological Society for my work with people living in poverty. In 2016, I was awarded a Food Heroes Award from Sustain, joining a good line up of winners, including Jamie Oliver. In my spare time I am a trustee for the charity called ‘Feeding Britain’, a charity called ‘Family Gateway’ and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

    • My Typical Day:

      I wake up at 5am, and feed my cat. I have toast and marmalade, with a cup of tea, for breakfast and then leave to go to work. I start work at 7am where I spend one hour answering emails. I then catch up with my students and then go out to conduct field work or write up research reports. I work through lunch and in the afternoon I either teach students or continue working on research projects. Most of my research is conducted outside of the University which means I travel to community centres, food banks, and schools. I normally leave my lab between 6-7pm and then go home and have dinner, or go to boxing lessons.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      If I won the £500 prize money, I would spend it on working with children and young people to make a film so young people could demonstrate how they are involved in STEM and send the film to the Prime Minister.

    My CV

    • Education:

      I went to school in a small town in Norfolk, called North Walsham. It was an all girls school and the headmistress was very strict.

    • Qualifications:

      I gained O Levels in Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Religious Education, Latin.

    • Work History:

      I first worked as a horse riding instructor, then I worked in the Florida Keys selling tickets for a tourist attraction. After becoming a doctor I worked for a Professor on a research project looking at the effect of mobile phones on brain function. Then I got a job lecturing at Northumbria University, and I was soon promoted to Assistant Professor and then Professor.

    • Current Job:

      I am currently the Director of the Healthy Living Lab at Northumbria University. This involves applying for research funding and working with people who make policies (e.g. policies around free school meals).

    • Employer:

      Northumbria University

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        cat loving psychologist

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        A hairdresser

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Yes

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I would be a gardener

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Harry Styles

        What's your favourite food?

        Chocolate

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Be younger, Be slimmer and Be richer

        Tell us a joke.

        What do you call a bull that is sleeping? ....A bulldozer!

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