Aberdeen University has become part of a new £19.76m research project aimed at tackling the problem of stunting in children.
The Action against Stunting Hub is led by the London International Development Centre (LIDC) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
It aims to reduce child stunting by up to 10% across communities in India, Indonesia and Senegal and is funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund.
The project will run for five years, and will look at way to transform current research on child under nutrition or stunting.
Professor Paul Haggarty, from Aberdeen University’s Rowett Institute, is the deputy lead on the “innovative” project.
He said: “It is a fantastic privilege to work with an outstanding international team of researchers on a project that has the potential to improve the lives and well-being of the most disadvantaged children and communities across the globe.”
Professor Claire Heffernan, principal investigator and LIDC director added: “Global efforts to reduce stunting are unlikely to be met, which represents a collective tragedy for the children, families, communities and nations involved.
“The UKRI GCRF Action against Stunting Hub will pursue much-needed interdisciplinary research that will enhance our understanding of the factors that lead to good growth versus no or slow growth in children living in low and middle income countries.”
