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Queen’s University and The Daily Mile Foundation Launch Data Linkage Study to Advance Children’s Health and Wellbeing
20/11/2025 00:00, In Blog /
Queen’s University Belfast has announced an exciting new collaboration with The Daily Mile Foundation to launch a data linkage study aimed at deepening understanding of the impact of physical activity on children’s health and educational outcomes.
This innovative partnership will explore how participation in The Daily Mile, a global initiative encouraging children to run, walk or wheel for 15 minutes every day, correlates with key health and wellbeing indicators across the UK. The study will leverage anonymised data to provide robust insights that can inform future policy and practice in schools and communities.
To support this important work, Queen’s University has awarded the prestigious Emily Turtle Award to a postgraduate student who will play a central role in the research. The award recognises outstanding academic potential and commitment to improving children’s lives through evidence-based research.
Fiona Paterson, UK and Ireland Partnership Manager, The Daily Mile Foundation, said:
We are thrilled to be working with Queen’s University on this study. The Daily Mile has always been about making a simple, free, and inclusive activity part of every child’s day. This research will help us better understand its long-term benefits and strengthen our mission to make movement part of every child’s day.
Professor Gavin Breslin, lead academic on the project at Queen’s University, added:
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our efforts to build a healthier future for children. By linking data across sectors, we can uncover powerful insights into how initiatives like The Daily Mile contribute to lifelong wellbeing. We’re proud to support this work through the Emily Turtle Award and look forward to the impact it will have.
James Williams, CEO, Welsh Athletics, said:
This research will enable us to continue to refine the offer in Wales and ensure that The Daily Mile and Welsh Athletics can continue to have the maximum impact on improving physical and mental wellbeing for young people across Wales.