Alison who was awarded an OBE for services to teenage pregnancy in 2010, led the previous Government's successful Teenage Pregnancy Strategy which reduced under-18 conception rates by 41% and helped improve support for young parents and their children.

Alison said: “One of the most important lessons for England is that high teenage pregnancy rates are not inevitable and that concerted effort, evidence based approaches and sufficient time can bring about change.”

Despite the continued achievements in reducing teenage pregnancies in the UK, it appears that the British public remains largely unaware. Alison commented: “Last year, in a British public opinion poll, teenage pregnancy rates were estimated to be 25 times higher than official government statistics. In fact, rates are the lowest level since 1969 when data collection began. Now we have to make sure public opinion catches up with our progress!”

The Teenage Pregnancy Knowledge Exchange at the University is the first national source of expert knowledge and advice on all aspects of teenage pregnancy.

Teenage pregnancy remains a priority for national and local government and the Knowledge Exchange offers training, consultancy and research to help ensure the lessons learned are transferred to new strategic leaders, commissioners and front line practitioners.

Alison is a lecturer and advisor on several undergraduate and post graduate courses in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bedfordshire.

Alison was recently quoted in articles in the Sunday Times, The Daily Mail and The Daily Express