Overview
Supported by the Cheney Fellowship (2024–2026) at the University of Leeds, this initiative drives the establishment and expansion of the UK–SEA Child and Adolescent Nutrition (UK–SEA ChAN) Network, while strengthening cross-regional collaboration in child and adolescent nutrition, food environments, and public health.
Beyond network development, the fellowship supports a coordinated platform that integrates research, capacity building, and partnership development across the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia, with emerging collaborations extending to China.
Why It Matters
Addressing complex and evolving nutrition challenges, including the double burden of malnutrition and digital food environments, requires sustained, multi-sectoral, and cross-country collaboration.
This initiative enables the development of a structured and scalable platform that connects research, policy, and practice, while supporting long-term partnerships and impactful regional engagement.
Objectives
- Establish and expand the UK–SEA ChAN Network
- Strengthen collaboration across the UK, Southeast Asia, and emerging global partners
- Support the development of research, capacity-building, and policy-relevant initiatives
- Facilitate knowledge exchange and future collaborative funding opportunities
Key Components
- Network development and governance establishment
- Generation of collaborative research projects and funding initiatives
- Capacity-building programmes and stakeholder engagement activities
- Academic exchange, institutional collaboration, and international engagement
Contribution to the UK–SEA ChAN Network
This initiative serves as the foundation and driving force behind the UK–SEA ChAN Network, supporting both its establishment and strategic expansion.
Key contributions include:
- Co-founding and launching the UK–SEA ChAN Network (2025)
- Securing and delivering major collaborative projects, including the ISPF-funded Digital Food Environment project
- Supporting the development of new international collaborations, including UK–Malaysia–China partnerships
- Leading capacity-building initiatives, including workshops and Train-the-Trainer programmes
- Strengthening engagement with stakeholders, including NGOs and community-based programmes
- Advancing institutional partnerships, including MoU/MoA development and academic collaboration
Highlighted Insights
The fellowship demonstrates the value of integrated approaches that combine network development, research generation, and capacity building to address complex nutrition challenges. It also highlights the importance of sustained institutional partnerships and cross-regional collaboration in creating scalable and impactful solutions.
Fellowship Support
- Cheney FellowshipUniversity of Leeds (2024–2026)