My first degree was in Social Administration from London School of Economics (LSE), after which I gained an MSc (Stats) at Brunel University, where I also worked as a statistics lecturer. My PhD at LSE was based on a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of women having access to their maternity care records. From 1981-1996 I was at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in Oxford, holding the roles of social statistician, trials statistician, Deputy Director and and later Director of the Perinatal Trials Service. During this period I was involved in a large number of RCTs and systematic reviews. I continued this applied research after moving to LSHTM in 1997, broadening from the perinatal field to also include trials in liver transplantation, intensive care, heart disease, children with diabetes, adolescents, and educational and nutritional interventions. Between 2000 and 2005 I worked half-time as professor of Evidence-informed policy and practice in the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Coordination Centre in the Institute of Education. I currently work part time in the Medical Statistics Dept. (MSD).