Half of Northern Ireland’s 2026 babies invited to join landmark study tracking children into adulthood

Wednesday 4 November 2026

Around half of all babies born in Northern Ireland in 2026 are being invited to take part in a landmark research study that will follow children into adulthood, helping shape the services and support available to future generations of families.

Researchers at Ulster University have begun interviewing parents as part of Generation New Era, the first new UK birth cohort study in 25 years and the largest of its kind in a generation.

Around 4,200 families across Northern Ireland will be invited to participate, contributing to a UK-wide study involving 30,000 children born this year.

The research will build a detailed picture of what it means to grow up in today's world, examining everything from early childhood development and family finances to childcare, parental wellbeing and the influence of digital technology.

Helping shape services for future generations

The findings are expected to provide evidence that could influence decisions about healthcare, education, childcare and family support services in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

By following the same children over many years, researchers hope to understand how early experiences, family circumstances and wider social changes affect people's lives as they grow older.

The study is led nationally by the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), with Ulster University responsible for its delivery in Northern Ireland.

It follows successful pilot research involving families across Northern Ireland and the wider UK.

Northern Ireland families invited to share their experiences

Dr Orla McBride, Professor of Psychology at Ulster University and Northern Ireland Lead for Generation New Era, said families welcoming babies this year had already experienced a significant period of change.

"Families across Northern Ireland who have welcomed new babies into their lives during 2026 have likely had an exciting and busy year so far.

“The Generation New Era team is pleased to be at a stage where we are writing out to these families to invite them to take part in Generation New Era as their new babies turn 9-10 months old. Children experience a rapid period of growth and development at this age, and we are keen to hear from families about how their babies are growing up in Northern Ireland today.

“Data from Generation New Era will be used by researchers to inform policies that will help support families across Northern Ireland, and the wider UK, over the coming years.”

Who can take part in the study

Families are being selected to ensure the research reflects the diversity of households and experiences across the UK.

• Around 4,200 Northern Ireland families will receive invitations to participate.

• Parents of babies born in 2026 may be selected as their children reach approximately nine to ten months old.

• Selected families will receive an invitation and be contacted by trained interviewers.

• Mothers, fathers and other parents from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to participate if invited.

• Fathers are a particular focus, including those who do not live with their children or have limited contact.

• Researchers are especially keen to hear from young parents.

Parents cannot volunteer to join the study without receiving an invitation. This is necessary to ensure those taking part represent the wider population rather than only families who choose to come forward.

Giving families a voice in future decisions

Professor Alissa Goodman, Co-Director of the study at University College London, said hearing directly from parents would help researchers understand the realities of raising children in a changing society.

"As interviews with families begin, we are delighted to start hearing directly from mothers and fathers across the UK.

"The world children are growing up in is changing fast. Generation New Era will listen to families from all walks of life, especially families whose voices are often missing from research. The study will help shine a light on the challenges and opportunities they face today.

"If you’ve had or are expecting a baby in 2026, you could be invited to take part – and we really hope you will! By sharing your experiences, you can help shape better support, services and opportunities for children for generations to come.”

Research that will follow children into adulthood

Unlike a one-off survey, Generation New Era is designed to follow children throughout their lives, allowing researchers to examine how childhood experiences influence later outcomes.

The information gathered could help identify where families need greater support, how services respond to changing circumstances and which factors contribute to children's health, development and wellbeing.

For Northern Ireland families receiving an invitation, participation offers an opportunity to ensure their experiences are represented in research that could inform public services for decades to come.

Further information is available through the Generation New Era Study page on the Ulster University Research and Innovation website.