Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU)

About us

Unit Co-Directors: Professor Alison Koslowski and Professor Charlotte Faircloth

We are leaders of world-class research that helps improve the lives of children, young people, and families in the UK and around the world. TCRU has a long history of researching children and families facing adversity. Today, our work also explores migration, gender, parenting and diverse families. We are committed to connecting our research to policy and practice, knowledge exchange and increasing public understanding. Our team is proudly multi-disciplinary and we use diverse, innovative research methods to support meaningful change. 

Our history

Founded in 1973, we have 50+ years of research experience into children and children’s services, parenting, families and migration. Our namesake, Thomas Coram (1668-1751) set up the Foundling Hospital in 1739, creating both funds and a system of care for children in need. We have close links with the charity Coram, nearby on the original site in Bloomsbury.

Our research

We generate impactful, interdisciplinary research in three key areas:

• Children, young people and families.
• Gender, labour and diverse families.
• Migration, citizenship and social justice.

We nurture the next generation of researchers through high-quality teaching and mentoring. We work closely with partners across policy, practice, and communities to create meaningful social change.