Evidence-based advice for better parenting in new BBC Ideas short films

10 September 2026

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Two new short films translate findings from the Department of Social Policy and Intervention (DSPI)’s parenting research into practical, accessible advice for families.

DSPI’s Professor Jamie Lachman and Dr Isang Awah give practical advice for parents in the two 90-seconds films grounded in evidence from Parenting for Lifelong Health and the Global Parenting Initiative, as part of the Social Sciences Division's partnership with BBC Ideas.

The advice is based on evidence from research in more than 40 countries and contribute to highlighting the wider work that DSPI researchers and partners are doing to generate and scale evidence-based parenting support globally. You can read more about it on the DSPI website.

The partnership, now releasing its third film series, is aimed at harnessing Oxford's academic research excellence. The five-minute films explore ideas that challenge and inform viewers, engaging new audiences with Social Sciences research in the process. 

"The parenting tool that really works (and only takes 5 mins!)"

"The parenting tool that really works (and only takes 5 mins!)" explores the importance of one-on-one time between parents and their children and features Professor Jamie M. Lachman, Professor of Child and Family Global Health at DSPI.  

"A simple way to parent like a pro (and stay calm!)"

"A simple way to parent like a pro (and stay calm!)" features Dr Isang Awah, Head of Advocacy at the Global Parenting Initiative, sharing a practical technique that parents can use during challenging moments: taking a pause before responding to their children.  

BBC Ideas produces a variety of thought-provoking short films and videos aimed at a general audience of under-35s that are designed to offer a fresh perspective across a broad range of topics and issues. The films we have produced in partnership can be watched on the BBC Ideas partnership page.