The Childhood & Lifespan Development research theme conducts research across early development, spanning infancy through to the early stages of adult life. Members conduct research to better understand underlying developmental mechanisms and processes with a strong emphasis on identifying vulnerability and resilience factors in atypical development (e.g. autism, developmental disability, rare genetic conditions) and the emergence of mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, eating disorders).
Techniques employed range from experimental methods including EEG, neuroimaging and eye-tracking studies, behavioural-genetic twin designs, longitudinal cohort studies, and qualitative and participatory research with children, young people and their carers. We also conduct intervention and outcome studies including pilot and large-scale randomised controlled trials to develop and test novel supportive interventions to promote wellbeing and positive life outcomes.
Our research also focuses on developing digital mental health interventions designed for vulnerable groups with complex socio-emotional needs. Our work involves extensive collaborations in the UK, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
Our research is funded by ESRC, MRC, NIHR, the European Commission, and many charities and third-sector organisations. Translational findings from these studies are actively being used within CAMHS services at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, in local schools, and within the King's student community.
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NIHR Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow
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Post-Doctoral Researcher
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Reader/Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology
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Reader in Psychology
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Emeritus Professor in Clinical Child Psychology
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Senior Lecturer in Psychology Education
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Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Education)
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Senior Lecturer in Psychology
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Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Education)
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Professor of Global Autism and Developmental Disability Research
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Emeritus Professor
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Lecturer in Psychology
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Lecturer in Psychology
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Lecturer in Psychology (Education)
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Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and NIHR Fellow
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Co-Director of CYP IAPT
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Senior Lecturer
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Lecturer in Psychology (Education)
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Reader in Psychology
Adversity in adolescence: Research insights and co-creation with young people
The Lifespan Modelling and Psychometrics lab has been investigating how adverse experiences during adolescence impact development. At the end of the project, they worked with young person advisors to create an animation aimed at disseminating their research findings in an engaging and accessible way.
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How clinical and research teams are working together to reduce stress in sixth form students
Over the last few years, rates of mental health disorders among young people have been rising. Researchers in four areas of the UK are running a large clinical trial, called the Brief Educational Workshops in Secondary Schools Trial (BESST), to investigate the effectiveness of the DISCOVER workshop programme for sixth form students.
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