Dr Kelly Spurlock

Public health nutritionist and Registered ANutr with specialist expertise in infant feeding, early years nutrition and parental information-seeking behaviours. Experienced in translating complex evidence into accessible, user-centred resources for parents, practitioners and stakeholders. Strong background in qualitative research, evidence synthesis, training delivery and community engagement, with extensive experience working in line with UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative standards.

Motivated to contribute to national-level nutrition guidance, public resources and policy-influencing work within the third sector.

Infant Feeding Specialist at Sirona (2024-06 – Present)

Delivering specialist breastfeeding and infant feeding support across North Somerset complying with UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Gold standards. Undertaking holistic, evidence-based assessments using a bio-psycho-social approach, creating individualised feeding plans for complex cases including faltering growth and allergy.

• Providing support one-on-one to parents and healthcare professionals within the Health visiting and early years team
• Delivering group format support in clinics and baby HUBs
• Facilitating community outreach and training for health visitors, peer supporters, and early years practitioners
• Contributing to audits, data collection, monitoring, and service evaluations to maintain BFI accreditation
• Contributed to work packages influencing current feeding guidelines of CMPA on remedy with dieticians at Bristol Children's hospital
• Collaborating with NHS maternity services, local authority, and voluntary sectors
• Experienced in safeguarding, public health promotion, and use of digital tools and social media

Community infant feeding worker at North Somerset Council (2023-01 – 2024-01)

Promoted breastfeeding across North Somerset in line with UNICEF BFI guidance and local equality standards, working closely with the public health team.

• Managed and led the team's social media presence
• Led antenatal education sessions
• Supported the delivery of breastfeeding peer supporter training
• Organised and evaluated community-based parent groups and outreach events independently
• Conducting audits, data collation, evaluations of parenting classes and events
• Facilitating local campaigns such as the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme
• Involved with the ABA feed study due to background in infant feeding and research

Postgraduate researcher (ESRC FUNDED) at University of the West of England - South-West Doctoral Training Partnership (2019-10 – 2025-02)

Explored the parental experience of accessing complementary feeding (weaning) and infant feeding information using qualitative methods, funded by the ESRC through the South-West Doctoral Training Partnership with UWE and the University of Bristol.

• Conducted qualitative systematic reviews and used qualitative methods including interviews and thematic analysis
• Investigated how parents accessed and engaged with information on complementary feeding
• Identified types of information needed to improve future health promotion
• Health and wellbeing in the first 1000 days was central focus of academic journey
• Attended the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative conference in Glasgow
• Successfully secured a competitive research grant
• Completed annual progress reviews to demonstrate project development
• Managed the project independently and liaised regularly with supervisory team
• Coordinated participant recruitment both virtually and in person

Doctor of Philosophy in Health and Wellbeing pathway (SWDTP) – University of the West of England - School of Nursing and midwifery (2019-09 – 2025-02)

MRes in Health and Wellbeing pathway – University of Bristol - School for Policy Studies (2018-09 – 2019-08)

BSc in Nutrition – University of Bournemouth - Health, environment and medical sciences (2016-09 – 2018-07)

Foundation degree in Life sciences – Oxford Brookes University (2014-09 – 2016-07)