Developmental Science

Our research is driven by understanding key questions about how we develop, change and thrive. We conduct our research in child and family-friendly facilities in the Department, including state-of-the-art laboratories such as the Durham Babylab and the Motion Capture VR lab. Many of us also conduct our research in local schools, nurseries and science museums, while our cross-cultural researchers work with communities in rural and urban regions across the globe.  We use a variety of methods and techniques in our work, including qualitative research methods, eye-tracking, fNIRS, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and 4D ultrasound scanning of fetuses.

Our research is funded by a range of funders, including the British Academy, the Economic and Social Research Council, European Research Council, Leverhulme Trust, the John Templeton Foundation, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Research England and the Wellcome Trust.

The Developmental Science group hosts the Junior Scientist summer engagement programme – a fun opportunity to engage young minds in psychological science and give back to our local community. Researchers in the Developmental Science group also lead the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development.