Dez is an alumna of the BSc Early Childhood Studies programme (now BSc Childhood Studies) in the School for Policy Studies.

Dez supports evidence-informed practice and policy in her roles as Strategic Director of the National Children's Bureau and Director of Research in Practice.

Dez said of the award: “I am extremely proud of the work we do at Research in Practice and across the National Children’s Bureau … and I appreciate this recognition of the hard work and commitment of our brilliant team.”

She added, however, that it was not an easy decision to accept the MBE. She said she rejected “the notion of ‘empire’ and all its painful, pernicious connotations,” adding, “far from being history, the racism and injustice that the empire represents continue to reverberate in today’s society.”

Read her full response to being awarded the MBE.

While noting Dez’s reservations about accepting the honour, we are really pleased that her hard work and achievements, and that of her team, have been recognised and that the MBE will help to raise awareness of the important work they do.

Dr Jessica Roy, Childhood Studies Programme Director, said: “We are delighted for Dez and her colleagues that their work has received this well-deserved recognition. Advocating for children’s rights and undertaking research with, and for, children and their families is of vital importance to improving the lives of, and outcomes for, children across the globe.

“Dez and her team’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that policy and practice with children and their families is based on sound research evidence has undoubtedly contributed to improvements in the wellbeing and safety of children and young people across the UK.”