The Centre for Developmental Science combines expertise in developmentally sensitive research designs with the best available methods for studying brain, cognition, and behaviour, from infancy to elderly adulthood.

We want to understand diversity in development: its origins, consequences, meanings for individuals, and where appropriate, the potential for change.

We consider 'neurodevelopmental conditions' such as autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and dyspraxia as lifespan conditions that are as relevant in adolescence and adulthood as they are in childhood.

We work with stakeholders in education, neurodiversity, and mental health to orient our research questions and to translate discoveries in developmental science into advice, policy, and practice that is relevant and implementable.

Our research and experts

Age groups

We study the full human lifespan. The sections below will direct you to researchers studying different age groups. Explore their biographies to find out more about what they do.

Infancy

Dr KyungMin An - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Professor Andrew J. Bremner - Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Matthew Broome - Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Professor Rory T. Devine - Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Andrea Krott - Professor of Psychology of Language
Dr Isabel Morales-Muñoz - Associate Professor in Psychology
Dr Barbara Pomiechowska - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Professor Caroline Richards - Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Andrew Surtees - Associate Professor in Psychology

Early childhood

Dr KyungMin An - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Professor Ian Apperly - Professor of Cognitive Development
Professor Sarah Beck - Professor of Cognitive Development
Dr Stacey Bissell - Assistant Professor
Professor Andrew J. Bremner - Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Matthew Broome - Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Dr Melissa Colloff - Associate Professor in Forensic Psychology
Professor Rory T. Devine - Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Andrea Krott - Professor of Psychology of Language
Dr Cathy Manning - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Ali Mazaheri - Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Isabel Morales-Muñoz - Associate Professor in Psychology
Dr Andrew Olson - Associate Professor
Dr Barbara Pomiechowska - Assistant Professor
Professor Caroline Richards - Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Andrew Surtees - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock - Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Middle childhood

Dr KyungMin An - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Professor Ian Apperly - Professor of cognition and development
Professor Sarah Beck - Professor of Cognitive Development
Dr Stacey Bissell - Assistant Professor
Professor Matthew Broome - Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Professor Stephane De Brito - Professor of Developmental Psychopathology and Neuroscience
Professor Rory T. Devine - Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Patricia Lockwood - Professor of Decision Neuroscience
Dr Cathy Manning - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Steven Marwaha - Clinical Professorial Fellow in Institute for Mental Health
Professor Ali Mazaheri - Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Carmel Mevorach - Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Isabel Morales-Muñoz - Associate Professor in Psychology
Dr Andrew Olson - Associate Professor
Professor Caroline Richards - Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Andrew Surtees - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock - Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Adolescence

Dr KyungMin An - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Professor Ian Apperly - Professor of cognition and development
Dr Stacey Bissell - Assistant Professor
Professor Matthew Broome - Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Dr Stephanie Burnett Heyes -Assistant Professor
Professor Stephane De Brito - Professor of Developmental Psychopathology and Neuroscience
Dr Steven Frisson - Assistant Professor
Dr Fay Julal Cnossen -Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Patricia Lockwood - Professor of Decision Neuroscience
Dr Cathy Manning - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Steven Marwaha - Clinical Professorial Fellow in Institute for Mental Health
Dr Carmel Mevorach - Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Maria Michail - Associate Professor
Dr Isabel Morales-Muñoz - Associate Professor in Psychology
Dr Andrew Olson - Associate Professor
Professor Jane E. Raymond - Emeritus Professor of Visual Cognition
Professor Caroline Richards - Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Sophie Sowden-Carvalho - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Dr Andrew Surtees - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock - Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Adults

Dr KyungMin An - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Professor Ian Apperly - Professor of cognition and development
Professor Matthew Apps - Professor of Cognitive Computational Neuroscience
Professor Sarah Beck - Professor of Cognitive Development
Dr Stacey Bissell - Assistant Professor
Professor Andrew J. Bremner - Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Matthew Broome - Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Dr Stephanie Burnett Heyes -Assistant Professor
Professor Jon Catling - Professor of Psychology and Education
Dr Magda Chechlacz - Assistant Professor in Cognition and Ageing
Professor Jennifer Cook - Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Steven Frisson - Assistant Professor
Dr Dietmar Heinke - Associate Professor
Dr Fay Julal Cnossen -Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Andrea Krott - Professor of Psychology of Language
Professor Patricia Lockwood - Professor of Decision Neuroscience
Dr Cathy Manning - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Steven Marwaha - Clinical Professorial Fellow in Institute for Mental Health
Professor Ali Mazaheri - Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Carmel Mevorach - Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Maria Michail - Associate Professor
Dr Isabel Morales-Muñoz - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Karen Mullinger - Joint Nottingham and Birmingham Professor
Dr Andrew Olson - Associate Professor
Dr Barbara Pomiechowska - Assistant Professor
Professor Jane E. Raymond - Emeritus Professor of Visual Cognition
Dr Katrien Segaert - Associate Professor
Professor Kim Shapiro - Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Sophie Sowden-Carvalho - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Dr Andrew Surtees - Associate Professor in Psychology

Older adults

Professor Matthew Apps - Professor of Cognitive Computational Neuroscience
Professor Jon Catling - Professor of Psychology and Education
Dr Magda Chechlacz - Assistant Professor in Cognition and Ageing
Professor Patricia Lockwood - Professor of Decision Neuroscience
Professor Ali Mazaheri - Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Carmel Mevorach - Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Professor Karen Mullinger - Joint Nottingham and Birmingham Professor
Professor Jane E. Raymond - Emeritus Professor of Visual Cognition
Dr Katrien Segaert - Associate Professor
Professor Kim Shapiro - Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience

Topics, Methods, and Approaches

Our researchers working on a range topics, and using many specialist methods and approaches. Explore their biographies to find out more about what they do.

Action

Professor Andrew J. Bremner – Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Jennifer Cook – Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Andrew Olson – Associate Professor
Professor Caroline Richards – Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Cognitive control

Professor Ian Apperly – Professor of cognition and development
Professor Matthew Apps – Professor of Cognitive Computational Neuroscience
Professor Sarah Beck – Professor of Cognitive Development
Professor Andrew J. Bremner – Professor of Developmental Psychology
Professor Matthew Broome – Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Professor Jon Catling – Professor of Psychology and Education
Dr Magda Chechlacz – Assistant Professor in Cognition and Ageing
Professor Stephane De Brito – Professor of Developmental Psychopathology and Neuroscience
Professor Rory T. Devine – Professor of Developmental Psychology
Dr Dietmar Heinke – Associate Professor
Professor Andrea Krott – Professor of Psychology of Language
Professor Ali Mazaheri – Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Carmel Mevorach – Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Andrew Olson – Associate Professor
Professor Jane E. Raymond – Emeritus Professor of Visual Cognition
Professor Caroline Richards – Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Katrien Segaert – Associate Professor
Professor Kim Shapiro – Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Sophie Sowden-Carvalho – Assistant Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock – Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Language

Professor Jon Catling – Professor of Psychology and Education
Dr Steven Frisson – Assistant Professor
Professor Andrea Krott – Professor of Psychology of Language
Professor Ali Mazaheri – Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Andrew Olson – Associate Professor
Dr Katrien Segaert – Associate Professor

Memory

Dr Melissa Colloff – Associate Professor in Forensic Psychology

Perception

Professor Andrew J. Bremner – Professor of Developmental Psychology
Dr Carmel Mevorach – Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Andrew Olson – Associate Professor

Reasoning

Professor Ian Apperly - Professor of cognition and development
Professor Sarah Beck - Professor of Cognitive Development
Professor Matthew Broome - Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Professor Jon Catling - Professor of Psychology and Education
Professor Andrea Krott - Professor of Psychology of Language

Social cognition

Professor Ian Apperly - Professor of Cognitive Development
Professor Matthew Broome - Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Dr Stephanie Burnett Heyes -Assistant Professor
Professor Jennifer Cook - Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Professor Stephane De Brito - Professor of Developmental Psychopathology and Neuroscience
Professor Rory T. Devine - Professor of Developmental Psychology
Dr Fay Julal Cnossen -Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Andrea Krott - Professor of Psychology of Language
Professor Patricia Lockwood - Professor of Decision Neuroscience
Professor Caroline Richards - Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Sophie Sowden-Carvalho - Assistant Professor in Psychology
Dr Andrew Surtees - Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock - Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Diversity

We aim to understand diversity in individual trajectories of development and change. To do this we examine the effects of a wide range of factors, including neurodiversity, genetics, family systems, education, and mental and physical health. The sections below will direct you to researchers studying different factors that influence development and change. Explore their biographies to find out more about what they do.

ADHD

Professor Matthew Broome – Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Professor Steven Marwaha – Clinical Professorial Fellow
Professor Ali Mazaheri – Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Carmel Mevorach – Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Professor Kate Woodcock – Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Autism

Professor Matthew Broome – Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Professor Jennifer Cook – Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Dr Steven Frisson – Assistant Professor
Professor Patricia Lockwood – Professor of Decision Neuroscience
Dr Carmel Mevorach – Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience
Professor Jane E. Raymond – Emeritus Professor of Visual Cognition
Professor Caroline Richards – Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Sophie Sowden-Carvalho – Assistant Professor in Psychology
Dr Andrew Surtees – Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock – Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Dementia

Professor Jon Catling – Professor of Psychology and Education
Professor Ali Mazaheri – Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Katrien Segaert – Associate Professor
Professor Kim Shapiro – Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience

Depression and anxiety

Professor Matthew Broome – Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Dr Stephanie Burnett Heyes – Assistant Professor
Professor Jon Catling – Professor of Psychology and Education
Professor Steven Marwaha – Clinical Professorial Fellow
Dr Maria Michail – Associate Professor
Dr Andrew Surtees – Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock – Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Dyslexia

Dr Steven Frisson – Assistant Professor
Professor Andrea Krott – Professor of Psychology of Language
Dr Andrew Olson – Associate Professor
Dr Katrien Segaert – Associate Professor

Mild cognitive impairment

Professor Matthew Apps – Professor of Cognitive Computational Neuroscience
Professor Jon Catling – Professor of Psychology and Education
Dr Magda Chechlacz – Assistant Professor in Cognition and Ageing
Professor Ali Mazaheri – Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Dr Katrien Segaert – Associate Professor
Professor Kim Shapiro – Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience

Personality and conduct

Professor Matthew Broome – Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Professor Stephane De Brito – Professor of Developmental Psychopathology and Neuroscience
Professor Patricia Lockwood – Professor of Decision Neuroscience
Professor Steven Marwaha – Clinical Professorial Fellow
Professor Kate Woodcock – Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Psychosis

Professor Matthew Broome – Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Dr Carmel Mevorach – Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience

Rare genetic syndromes

Dr Andrew Olson – Associate Professor
Professor Caroline Richards – Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Andrew Surtees – Associate Professor in Psychology
Professor Kate Woodcock – Professor in Applied Clinical Psychology

Sleep

Professor Matthew Broome – Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health
Dr Magda Chechlacz – Assistant Professor in Cognition and Ageing
Professor Steven Marwaha – Clinical Professorial Fellow
Professor Caroline Richards – Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Dr Andrew Surtees – Associate Professor in Psychology

Speech and language difficulties

Dr Steven Frisson – Assistant Professor
Professor Andrea Krott – Professor of Psychology of Language
Dr Andrew Olson – Associate Professor

Sign up to take part in our research

Events and talks

CDS stakeholder day

The Centre for Developmental Science organises in-person education stakeholder events twice a year. We typically organise one event in the summer term and one in the autumn.

The stakeholder days have the aim to

share our most recent research project ideas and findings, and give researchers in the centre the opportunity to gain feedback from education professionals and stakeholders on their research.
give education stakeholders the opportunity to forward ideas and experiences to help forward the research agenda.

The events include talks from our CDS researchers, but also provide scope for structured and unstructured discussion.

CDS education research talks

Our Centre for Developmental Science research talks take place online and are open to attend for anyone interested in hearing more about our research. The research talks take place monthly on Thursdays 4-5pm.

To find out more about the Centre for Developmental Sciences, and how to get involved, contact our Centre Director

Professor Ian Apperly
Director of the Centre for Developmental Science
Professor Ian Apperly is an experimental psychologist. He studies social understanding, its cognitive and neural basis, how it develops, and why it varies between people.

Birmingham Babylab

Infant and toddlers development research group

Cerebra network

Cerebra Network

Take part in baby research

Take part in our research in Birmingham Babylab

The Centre for Developmental Science