The SGDP Centre’s mission is to undertake research on the impact and interplay between genetic, environmental and developmental factors, and their roles in the causal processes underlying the origins and course of multifactorial mental disorders; to consider the implications for clinical practice and public health policy; and to train others in the methodologies involved. 

The department’s focus is on common psychiatric disorders that emerge in childhood such as mood disorders (anxiety and depression), ‘externalising’ disorders (disruptive behaviour including hyperactivity and addictions), and cognitive disorders (learning disabilities and the autistic spectrum). Amongst the academics within the centre are extraordinarily diverse and multi-disciplinary expertise in subjects such as psychiatry, social psychology, psychopathology, personality traits, quantitative and statistical genetics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, molecular genetics, quantitative genetics, EEG/ERP, developmental psychology and environmental effects.

The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) is Europe’s largest centre for research and post-graduate education in psychiatry, psychology, basic and clinical neuroscience. World renowned for the quality of our research in psychiatry and psychology, we are the most cited research centre outside the US, and the second most cited in the world as ranked by Thomson ISI Essential Science Indicators. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise we were judged to have the highest research power of any UK institution within the areas of psychiatry, neuroscience and clinical psychology. Our world-class research-led learning experience attracts the very best students from around the world. Our students enjoy unrivalled learning opportunities, supported by strong partnerships with NHS Trusts, industry and healthcare organisations.