Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences MPhil/PhD at Kings College London

Overview

• Number of academic staff: 16

• Number of research students: 30

The Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences (FANS) in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) is one of the few leading teams in the world bringing together experts in brain development and antisocial behaviour. We offer prospective students supervision from internationally recognised academics with expertise in many areas of forensic and neurodevelopmental research.  As one of Europe’s largest research groups focusing on the neuroscientific understanding of the development of prosocial and antisocial behaviours across the lifespan, we believe it is essential to investigate the determinants of normal development to understand abnormal behaviour (or illness).

With staff globally-recognised as innovators of high-quality translational research. we maintain strong links with our clinical and forensic partners ensuring our fundamental research and teaching efforts can be transferred for clinical improvements with ease and speed. The quality of our research is reflected by our academic contributions to the 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework. Ranked 2nd in the country for power, the IoPPNachieved a 100%  4* ranking for our research environment, indicating our impact was judged to be ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. We currently hold approximately £20 million in research income from national (e.g. the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and National Institute of Health Research), international (e.g. European Commission) and charitable grant giving bodies (Autistica, Forces in Mind and The Simons Foundation).

Research methodologies employed within FANS included neuroimaging (in vivo brain imaging -MRI, fMRI, MRS, and PET), genomics, animal models, epidemiology, psychopathology, psychopharmacology, and measures of cognitive ability and behaviour in healthy individuals and those with psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Key benefits

World leading experts

Our academic team members sit on National and International steering and advisory groups (including UK government task forces on ADHD, autism and offenders). With expertise from basic animal models through to the latest neuroimaging techniques, we are world leaders in brain imaging of infants, and in relating differences in brain structure and function to social and cognitive development. We also study the genetics, epidemiology, psychopathology, neurobiology and psychopharmacology of autistic spectrum disorders and ADHD across the lifespan, conduct disorder and callous unemotional behaviour in children, and offending and antisocial personality disorder in adulthood.

Description

Take a look at our recent publications

The Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences (FANS) offers prospective students supervision from internationally recognised academics with expertise in many areas of forensic and neurodevelopmental research.

 Current Research Interests

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• European Autism Intervention A Multicentre Study (EU-AIMS)
• Experimental Medicine studies in adult ASD: GABA, Glutamate, Endocannabinoid and Serotonin systems

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)           

Research in the Forensic Environment

• Fitness to Plead
• Trauma in prison