May 2026

At the May APPAP meeting, members received updates on several ongoing Children of the 90s projects and provided feedback on new research proposals.

The group heard that ethical approval has now been granted for the Brain Donation Project, with participant communications expected later this year or in early 2027. Updates were also provided on the new Lung Function Study and recent changes made to G1 and G2 questionnaires following previous APPAP feedback. These changes included shortening questionnaires, improving accessibility, and ensuring sensitive topics such as fertility and family planning are discussed in a supportive and inclusive way.

APPAP reviewed a proposed study exploring how experiences of mental health during adolescence may influence participation in long-term research studies. Members discussed the challenges of asking participants to reflect on past experiences and highlighted the importance of sensitive participant communications.

The group also discussed the recent UK Biobank data incident and proposed changes to ALSPAC's data access arrangements. Members welcomed ALSPAC's commitment to transparency and supported the increased use of secure Trusted Research Environments (TREs) for some researcher access requests. The discussion highlighted the importance of maintaining participant trust and providing clear information about how participant data are protected.

Finally, APPAP reviewed a proposal exploring whether facial imaging could be used as a way of measuring biological ageing and disease risk. Members discussed the potential benefits of the research, while also highlighting the importance of robust image security and privacy protections.

The next APPAP meeting will take place in July 2026.