United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone learns more about Children Growing Up in Liverpool

The University of Liverpool Chancellor, United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone, met staff and learned more about Children Growing Up in Liverpool (G-GULL) during a visit to the study’s Research Centre at Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

During her visit, Wendy met staff including the laboratory team and research midwives who are involved in the work aimed at improving health outcomes for families in the city region.

She also chatted with C-GULL study participants and parents of patients in the Trust’s neonatal unit. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity for her to witness firsthand the groundbreaking research and patient care being delivered in these critical areas.

The visit underscored the vital partnership between the university and neighbouring NHS trusts and Wendy took the time to visit the academic unit and meet clinical academics to learn more about their ongoing work, further highlighting the collaborative spirit that drives the shared civic mission between the university and NHS partners.

Professor Louise Kenny, the Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and Principal Investigator for C-GULL, said: “The visit was a significant moment for us as it showcased the essential research and collaborative efforts between the university and our healthcare partners. We are proud of the impactful work being done here and are grateful for her support.”

Dr Lynn Greenhalgh, Chief Medical Officer at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust said: “We were delighted to host Judge Wendy Beetlestone and demonstrate the critical research and clinical care that our teams are providing. Her visit reaffirmed the strength of our partnership with the University of Liverpool, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to improve healthcare outcomes.”

Judge Beetlestone was announced as the next Chancellor of the University of Liverpool last year. She is the University’s 11th Chancellor and the institution’s first female, and first black, Chancellor.

An alumna of the University, Wendy was born in Nigeria and educated in Yorkshire. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Philosophy in 1984, before embarking on a career as a TV journalist, entering the legal profession a decade later. In 2014 she was nominated by US President Barack Obama to serve as a District Court Judge. Her jurisdiction covers both civil and criminal cases involving the US Constitution, US statutes, and diversity cases between citizens of different states.

In 2019, the University awarded Wendy an honorary degree in recognition and celebration of her fearless commitment to fairness and justice throughout her career. As Chancellor, she will be the University’s ceremonial figurehead and will play an important ambassadorial role, locally, nationally, and internationally.