Research that works for every child
Equity is at the heart of our approach to research into children's mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions at the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People.
Guided by young people, families, and communities with lived experience, Europe's largest group of clinical and academic experts is working to ensure that every child - not just the easiest to study - benefits from world-leading research and care.
Through inclusive science, child-friendly technology, and strong community partnerships, we are designing research that works for all.
Equity at the centre of what we do
For too long, research into children's mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions has not reflected the full diversity of the young people it aims to help.
Most studies have focused on white, Northern European populations - leaving gaps that fail children from other backgrounds and communities. Traditional research technologies, such as MRI scanners, have often excluded children with complex needs entirely, despite them being the ones with the most to gain.
We are changing that.
If we're not careful, we risk building research tools that work well for some groups but leave others behind, reinforcing existing disparities in healthcare. That's why equity isn't an afterthought in our research - it's a design principle.
Professor Gustavo Sudre, Rosetrees Pears Chair of Bioinformatics and Professor of Genomic Neuroimaging and Artificial Intelligence
In our Clinical Research Facility at the Pears Maudsley Centre, we have invested in child-friendly, movement-tolerant, brain imaging technologies that work even when children are anxious or active.
We are building strong partnerships with schools and communities to recruit participants who reflect the full diversity of the population.
And we are designing our research models with inclusion at their core - so that the answers we find benefit all children, not just the easiest to study.
Research shaped by lived experience
Our work is guided by children, young people, and families who have experienced mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Their voices do not sit at the edges of our work - they are at the centre of it.
We engage with parents, young people, and community partners. We learn about the important questions through co-design and ongoing dialogue. We design our research to answer those questions. This helps create real, practical improvements in care.
This commitment is evident in everything. It starts with the design of the Pears Maudsley Centre, which young people helped create. It continues with how we recruit participants, set research priorities, and measure success.
Find out more about how young people helped design the Pears Maudsley Centre
We want every child to have a voice in research, especially those who've been left out for far too long — as they have the most to tell us. Research for All will put these children at the heart of our science, asking the questions that matter most to them and their families and turning those answers into better care and a brighter future.
Professor Philip Shaw, Director, King's Maudsley Partnership
Bridging research and clinical practice
Discoveries only make a difference when they reach the people who need them. One of our goals is to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world clinical care. We aim to get better treatments and approaches into practice quickly.
We are speeding this up through our Communities of Practice. These are shared spaces where clinicians and researchers meet regularly. They share knowledge, solve problems, and create innovative solutions together.
There is no doubt that the Community of Practice has had a meaningful impact on the design of my research; within minutes of the meeting, I had updated the chatbot based on our discussions. I don't think there would be another way to get such valuable feedback so quickly.
Dr Laurence Telesia, Clinical Research Fellow, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
What is a Community of Practice?
A Community of Practice is a regular forum for King's academics and Trust clinicians to come together to share knowledge, learn from each other, and strengthen research-practice partnerships – so that new ideas & interventions reach the frontline more quickly.
Our Communities of Practice aim to connect clinical practice with academic research. This ensures research meets real clinical needs and helps clinicians access the latest ideas in the field.
Each Community of Practice serves three key functions:
- It provides a space for clinicians to present clinical dilemmas or challenges they face in practice and work with researchers to explore how innovative academic research can lead to new solutions. It also allows researchers to refine their project ideas in collaboration with clinicians to ensure relevance and impact.
- Network building means creating a connected group of professionals. This helps them quickly respond to funding opportunities and research collaborations.
- Learning and development involve sharing knowledge. The Communities of Practice sessions help clinicians stay updated on the latest research. At the same time, they give academics insight into the changing needs of clinical practice. It is also a valuable space for early-career researchers seeking mentorship.
Want to get involved? Email our Communities of Practice team