Professor Defeyter’s work has contributed to the Government announcing £600 million funding to continue the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme over the next three years. A survey of 20,000 parents and carers revealed the benefits to young people and the pressure the initiative helps take off family finances.
She is currently working with the Department for Education on the roll out of the £315 million National School Breakfast Club Scheme across all state funded primary schools in England and was awarded an OBE in recognition of services to education in 2024.
As one of 74 new Academy of Social Sciences Fellows elected from 39 organisations across the UK, Professor Defeyter has been recognised for her ‘significant’ contributions to social science, which highlight the relevance of the social sciences in understanding and addressing the many varied societal challenges facing the UK and the world today.
Professor Defeyter said: “I am honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. Over the last 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many social scientists and I appreciate the impact they have had on my thinking and the direction of my research. I hope to work with the Academy of Social Sciences to further promote the importance of social science research, especially to policy makers.”