Mary Larkin is Emeritus Professor of Care, carers and caring at the Open University. Her professorial title reflects her commitment to pioneering the extension of knowledge, research and expertise - institutionally, locally, nationally, and internationally – to provide evidence-based solutions to the pressing societal and global challenge of improving outcomes for, and supporting, the ever-increasing number of unpaid carers . She has extensive experience of carer research and working with carers and carers organisations. Not only does she publish widely but her expertise in family caring has led to her membership of national and international bodies, committees, and commissions. Mary’s many years of teaching in higher education has included the development of courses about, and for carers. Within the Open University she has spearheaded strategies to support students and staff who are carers.