Neurodevelopment Research Network

We aim to explore the crucial points in neurodevelopment that signal adaptive versus maladaptive trajectories in children.

We are a network of multi-disciplinary researchers seeking to address the crucial questions about adaptive trajectories (positive adaptations to situations) versus maladaptive trajectories (negative adaptations to situations) in the early period of the human lifespan.

Our research also seeks to identify the challenges to conducting research in child and adolescent neurodevelopment and build sustainable solutions that result in ground-breaking research projects and long-term collaborations.

Additional aims include developing research projects together using our combined disciplinary expertise and to work with allied professionals in health, education, and social care to consider the practical implications, resonance, and value of our work.

We aim for the work of the network to align with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 in relation to our investigations of the social, psychological, and biological processes that affect early-life neurodevelopment and mental health.

Get in touch at neurodevelopment@cardiff.ac.uk to find out more about the other Cardiff University Research Networks and how they could support your interest in these four areas:

Environment and Plastics
Planetary Health
Resilient Cities
Materials

We are running a series of events between 2022 and 2024 to discuss our areas of interest, identify challenges and solutions and develop programmes of research activity that will also align with staff career development, teaching, and engagement with students.

Selected publications

Hashmi, S. et al. 2022. Doll play prompts social thinking and social talking: representations of internal state language in the brain. Developmental Science 25 (2) e13163. (10.1111/desc.13163)
Hunnikin, L. M. et al. 2022. Can facial emotion recognition be rapidly improved in children with disruptive behavior? A targeted and preventative early intervention study. Development and Psychopathology 34 (1), pp.85-93. (10.1017/S0954579420001091)

Previous activities have included training workshops on brain imaging techniques appropriate for use with children and neurodiverse young people, seminars, and informal social events.

Please get in touch at neurodevelopment@cardiff.ac.uk to discuss your ideas for events.