A new UK-wide longitudinal study called 'Generation New Era' will track up to 30,000 children from birth, starting with recruitment in autumn 2025, to gather insights into their development amid societal changes.

Funded by UKRI and the ESRC with a budget of £42.8 million, the study involves multiple universities including UCL, Swansea, Ulster, and Edinburgh, and aims to include underrepresented groups and fathers for comprehensive UK-wide representation.

Researchers will collect data at two key stages—when children are 9-11 months old and at 3-4 years old—and plan to follow participants throughout their lives to inform policies and improve children's outcomes.

Experts like Professors Goodman and Fearon emphasize that this infrastructure will help understand factors affecting children's health, mental well-being, social development, and educational needs, especially among disadvantaged groups.

UK Research and Innovation highlights the country's proud tradition of cohort studies that have historically contributed to policy improvements in health, education, and social rights, such as reducing childhood mortality and enhancing literacy.

Findings from these studies have directly influenced policies like extending parental leave, improving mental health support, and addressing educational disadvantages faced by summer-born children.

This new study will create a valuable resource for science and policy, helping to improve future outcomes for children and families across the UK by linking data to health and education records.

The study emphasizes inclusivity by actively engaging fathers and underrepresented groups, ensuring diverse demographic representation and comprehensive analysis.

Participants will contribute saliva samples for genetic analysis to explore links between genetics, diseases, and health outcomes, making this one of the first UK-wide cohorts to integrate genotyping from the outset.

The study aims to address societal changes since the last major birth cohort study in 2000, with a focus on informing better policies to improve children's lives.

Long-term UK studies have historically led to significant scientific and societal advancements, including reductions in smoking during pregnancy, prevention of cot deaths, and improvements in literacy and mental health.

Parents of babies born in 2026 will be invited to participate through letters sent in autumn 2025, with data collection planned at two stages and a commitment to follow children throughout their lives.