50 Years of Becoming a Mother

This project examines women's transition to motherhood over the last 50 years in the UK

The project runs from February 2025 to September 2029 and is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

News

Charlotte Faircloth features on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Child’ podcast

How have our ideas about parenting changed over the last 50 years, and specifically, why are we more ‘anxious’ than ever in how to go about it? You can hear BAM50 project leader Charlotte Faircloth on the BBC Radio 4 programme/Podcast ‘Child’, episode 7 on “Anxiety’ 

University of Iceland

Fertility and Parenting Culture

How do our ideas about motherhood affect the decision to have a child or not? Charlotte was recently a speaker at the ‘Fertility Intentions and Behaviour in Iceland’ final project conference at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, discussing parenting culture and declining fertility rates with colleagues from around the world. You can see more…

Two student interns and PhD student

BAM50 Project Launch Event

We held a launch for the project in April, featuring Ann Oakley in conversation with Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwife NHS England. Thank you to all of you who came and made this such a special evening. Watch recording

Project Leaders

Charlotte Faircloth

Charlotte Faircloth

Professor of Family and Society at the UCL Social Research Institute and Project Leader of the BAM50 project.

Ann Oakley

Ann Oakley

Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, is one of the most influential sociologists of post-war Britain, and Co-Project Leader on BAM50.

Meg Wiggins

Meg Wiggins

Senior Research Officer and Lecturer in Social Policy at the UCL Social Research Institute, and Co-Project Leader of BAM50.