Professor Claire Hughes
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

Claire is the primary investigator on the grant, and originator of the BESSI instrument (Brief Early Skills and Support Index) that will be used in the study. Her interest in wellbeing extends into her daily working life, as she is a Deputy Head of Department for Psychology, with responsibility for wellbeing, equality and diversity. She has three children, aged 14-21. 

Rory Devine, PhD
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham

Rory is the study lead at the University of Birmingham. He is a developmental psychologist and Assistant Professor (Lecturer) at the University of Birmingham School of Psychology. He has extensive experience of working with children, families, and schools. His research focuses on understanding children’s cognitive development and social relationships. Rory completed his Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Cambridge. He is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. You can learn more about Rory's research here.

Hana D’Souza, PhD
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

Hana is a co-investigator on the grant, whose research focuses on young children with neurodevelopmental disorders of known genetic origin, such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Williams syndrome.  Hana will lead the coordination of the study with the LonDownS, to foster inclusive early education policies. You can learn more about Hana’s research here.

Elian Fink, PhD
School of Psychology, University of Sussex

Elian is a co-investigator on the grant and an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in developmental psychology at the University of Sussex. Her research focuses on children’s peer relationships in early childhood. Prior to moving to the University of Sussex, Elian was a senior research associate at the Centre for Play in Education, Development and Learning in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. You can learn more about Elian’s research here.

Mikeda Jess, PhD
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham

Dr. Mikeda Jess is a Research Assistant at the School of Psychology. She completed her PhD at the University of Warwick in 2018. Her research interests focus on Intellectual Disabilities, Child Behaviour and Wellbeing.

Louise Gray, MSc
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

Louise previously worked as a Research Assistant and in primary schools as a Classroom Assistant, Welfare Officer and Administrator, and has spent the last 5 years in Operations Management in the Charity sector and Business Admin in the sports industry (namely, Cambridge United).

Hannah Tigg
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

Hannah is an administrator for the Centre for Family Resaerch and will be helping with all budget and admin matters within the grant and this study.  She has two daughters, who are both at secondary school. 

Caoimhe Dempsey, MPhil
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

Caoimhe’s PhD will focus on the question of the role of parent-school communication in providing a solid foundation to support children’s school readiness. When she is not studying, Caoimhe is likely to be on the river, training for the Women’s Boat Race. 

Jean Anne Heng, MSc
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

Jean’s PhD will draw partially from LENA (Language Environment Analysis) data to examine how parent-child dyadic interactions are associated with longitudinal developmental trajectories in young children.

Miryam Edwards, MSc
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham

Miryam is a Research Assistant at the School of Psychology. After completing her MSc in Psychology at Cardiff University, Miryam worked as a classroom assistant at an ASD primary school and as a voluntary online counsellor. Prior to that, Miryam spent 6 years as a professional portrait photographer.

Mishika Mehrotra, HBSc
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

Mishika's research interests include children's cognitive development and caregiver-child interactions in early childhood. Her PhD will focus on contingent conversations between parents and children during mealtime and how they influence the development of children's self-regulation.