Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental Science (CUCHDS).

The CUCHDS focuses on understanding child development in social contexts within a broader lifespan perspective. The center takes an interdisciplinary approach that connects developmental psychology with education, health, and social care, while also integrating insights from developmental neuroscience through integration of developmentally-sensitive facilities within their centre and in collaboration with the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC).

The center offers state-of-the-art facilities containing specially designed laboratory space for studies of infants, children and adults. Specifically, facilities include:

• Sensory room
• Observation labs
• neuroimaging labs – electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
• Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit (NDAU) (Waterloo Foundation-funded unit for children referred with developmental issues)
• Eye tracking (mobile screen-based and head-mounted)

Read Eirini’s blog of the lab visit to Cardiff University in 2026.

In January 2026, we visited the Centre for Human and Developmental Science (CUCHDS) at Cardiff University, a hub for interdisciplinary research on brain and behavioural development across the lifespan. The visit brought together ECRs from different institutions, providing a window into CUCHDS’s state-of-the-art facilities and space for research and impact discussion, reflection, and collaboration. Fourteen ECR R4N members across different parts of the UK attended.

After a warm welcome from CUCHDS’s director Dr Sarah Gerson, we split into two groups to tour the facilities. My group began in the Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit (NDAU) in CUCHDS. The NDAU is a thoughtfully designed, friendly and comfortable environment that allows researchers to find out about children’s skills and abilities through a variety of fun activities and games. Drawing from extensive research, the unit’s aim is to assess and support children who are experiencing emotional, cognitive and behavioural problems, and are on the waiting list for clinical assessment. In addition, families and teachers get information about the child that may help support the child at home and school. We then moved to the sensory room. The adjustable lighting and tactile materials in the room help to target different senses allowing researchers to observe children’s behaviours whilst they play freely and explore the calming multisensory environment.

NDAU Room and Sensory Room

Next up were the neuroimaging labs, where we had the opportunity to see the different equipment used, such as fNIRS, EEG and wearable MEG. Dr Ross Vanderwert who uses these techniques, among others, to examine early experiences and brain development across the lifespan demonstrated the EEG and wearable MEG. We learned about how brain function is measured and the team’s strategies for making the process engaging and child-friendly, highlighting the balance between scientific rigour and participant comfort.

This was followed by a visit to the eye-tracking (ET) rooms, where the team demonstrated mobile screen-based systems and wearable head-mounted equipment. These tools allow researchers to assess infant and child behaviour not only in the lab but also in more naturalistic settings, including participants’ homes. We also heard about different ongoing projects involving the use of ET equipment, such as recent work by Dr Hana D’Souza and colleagues exploring the everyday exposure to faces during play in the home across the first years of life.

The second half of our tour was in the CUBRIC (Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre). The team took us to the MRI and MEG labs and demonstrated robotic arm equipment for tactile research which was compatible with the neuroimaging technology. Throughout the tour, researchers described how these technologies support the study of human health, functioning, and well-being across the lifespan. They shared examples of current projects underway, including work examining how interacting brain systems shape function, behaviour, and differences in health and disease using combined neuroimaging approaches, as well as projects developing advanced MRI techniques to measure brain tissue at the microscopic level to improve diagnosis and treatment.

We also visited the sleep laboratories within CUBRIC’s clinical research unit. In this purpose-built environment, volunteers and patients take part in overnight studies while their brain activity and heart rate are being measured. These studies focus on investigating memory, mood, depression, and other psychological aspects. The sleep lab includes comfortable bedrooms with en-suite facilities and a nearby monitoring station, allowing researchers to observe participants while minimising disruption to natural sleep.

After the lunch break, we attended a panel discussion on research impact and co-production led by Dr Kate Langley with Dr Sarah Gerson and Dr Cathrine Jones. The discussion was centred around the importance of impact, engagement and co-production. Dr Catherine Jones talked about her work with families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions and how this led to the development of the NDAU. Dr Sarah Gerson spoke about her collaboration with the large company Mattel for research into doll play and how experiences during play help the social-cognitive development of children. We had discussions regarding the involvement of participants, families, service users and communities throughout the research process. Panel members emphasised the importance of collaboration and communication to increase impact. The day concluded with an ECR “speed-dating” networking session led by Dr. Ross Vanderwert. During short, timed conversations, R4N ECRs and Cardiff ECRs shared research interests and explored potential collaborations!

The visit to CUCHDS was inspiring and informative. Beyond showcasing impressive facilities, it highlighted the centre’s holistic approach to developmental science. For early career researchers, the experience offered insight into cutting-edge research environments and a valuable opportunity to make connections that will support our future work in neurodevelopmental science.

A big thank you to CUCHDS team for helping organise the lab visit and for making everyone feel welcome!

You can find CUCHDS on Instagram @cuchdscardiff, X @CUCHDScardiff and Facebook for frequent updates on research projects and news.