Discovering causal determinants of positive child development in observational data

Positive development is fundamental to human flourishing and is reflected in the emergence and growth of various competences: from learning to walk and talk, to building relationships, solving complex problems, bouncing back from setbacks, and interacting with new technologies.

Traditionally, much developmental research has focused on identifying risk factors for behavioural and mental health problems, rather than on investigating positive competences and abilities. In addition, different research domains (i.e. physical, emotional, cognitive, social etc.) have tended to be investigated separately rather than in combination. 

Deeper and broader knowledge of the factors that contribute to positive child development is crucial in order to understand and promote flourishing. To this end, it is necessary to move beyond traditional perspectives and critically investigate the building blocks of positive development, strength, and resilience more broadly. 

This PhD project will contribute to a new research area focused on investigating positive child development—that is, the growth of competences and abilities, such as empathy, social skills, self-regulation, and optimism. Moving beyond the current state of knowledge, the project will explore and identify the causal predictors of these competences across physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural domains.

Rather than collecting new data, the PhD project will be based on the advanced statistical analysis of several existing large cohort studies, such as the Millennium Cohort Study and the Children of the 2020s Study, amongst others. The research will involve theorising on causal predictors of positive development based on existing literature and applying a range of causal inference methods (e.g., Propensity Score Matching, Mendelian Randomization, GC-XGBoost, G-formula etc.) to large longitudinal data sets in order to identify causal predictors of positive development. The work will eventually contribute to the development of a new comprehensive model of positive child development that will guide future research and social policy.

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

Besides meeting the entry criteria for our PhD programme, this project requires strong conceptual thinking, excellent statistical skills and the ability to acquire new and advanced statistical expertise, outstanding writing skills, and the ability to work independently and to a high standard. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a background in psychology (preferably with a BSc and MSc in psychology) exceptional skills in statistical analysis and a strong desire to advance the field of developmental psychology.

School of Psychology