Canterbury Child Development Research Group (CCDRG)

Research Group Summary

The Canterbury Child Development Research Group (CCDRG) is a multidisciplinary research team based at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. The group led by Professor Lianne J. Woodward investigates critical child development issues concerned with early developmental risks, brain development, parenting and family functioning.

Researchers in the group are specifically focused on:
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born very preterm
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants exposed to methadone during pregnancy
- Childhood exposure to family violence and later parenting risks

Areas of expertise within the group include:
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Developmental neuropsychology
- Longitudinal research methods
- Neonatal nursing
- Paediatrics

Studies largely employ a multimethod approach spanning:
- Neuroimaging (diffusion tensor imaging, functional connectivity, structural magnetic resonance imaging)
- Neuropsychological evaluation
- Paediatric clinical examination
- Parental interview
- Teacher report

The research group maintains close collaborative working relationships with other researchers based at:
- Christchurch Women's Hospital (New Zealand)
- Harvard Medical School, Boston (USA)
- School of Medicine, University of Auckland (New Zealand)
- University of Melbourne (Australia)
- University of Oslo (Norway)
- University of Otago, Christchurch, Dunedin (New Zealand)
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (USA)

Key Contact

Members - UC Staff

  • Alison Davie-Gray: Clinical Psychologist; School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
  • Marie Goulden: Research Coordinator; School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
  • Jacki Henderson: Lecturer; School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
  • Samantha Jean Lee: Doctoral Candidate; School of Health Sciences
  • Karelia Levin: Clinical Psychologist; School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
  • Kirsten Holly Ritchie: Doctoral Candidate; School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing

Members - Non-UC Staff

  • Nicola Austin: Co-Investigator; Neonatal Service, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand
  • Samudragupta Bora: Co-Investigator; Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
  • Terrie Inder: Co-Investigator; Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
  • Melissa Laird: Doctoral Candidate; University of Canterbury, New Zealand
  • Rachel Emma Lean: Doctoral Candidate; Washington University, St Louis, USA
  • Kathryn Mangin: Doctoral Candidate; Washington University, St Louis, USA
  • Tracy Melzer: MRI Research Manager; New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Stephanie Moor: Co-Investigator; University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Carole Spencer: Research Nurse Specialist; Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand
  • Kristine Walhovd: Research Collaborator; University of Oslo, Norway
  • Simon Warfield: Co-Investigator; Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
  • Lianne Woodward: Principal Investigator; Director of Infant & Child Development Research, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
  • Trecia Wouldes: Co-Investigator; University of Auckland School of Medicine, New Zealand

Subject Area: Disciplines

Resources