Prof Essi Viding

Professor of Developmental Psychopathology

Clinical, Edu & Hlth Psychology

Div of Psychology & Lang Sciences

Joined UCL: 1st Oct 2005

Research summary

I combine cognitive experimental measures, twin model-fitting, brain imaging, and genotyping to study different developmental pathways to persistent antisocial behaviour.

Teaching summary

I convene and teach on the final year Psychology BSc course 'Genes and Behaviour' (course code C3307).

I also give lectures on the first year Psychology BSc 'Personality and Individual Differences' course and teach on the MSc in Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology and Doctorate in Educational Psychology courses.

In addition, I provide training in ethical considerations for working with child samples for the UCL Graduate School.

Education

King's College London: PhD, Psychology | 2004
University College London: BSc Hons, Psychology | 1998

Biography

I received my PhD training (2000-2004) on the 4-year MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) interdisciplinary PhD programme, at Institute of Psychiatry, KCL - supervised by Professor Francesca Happé. After PhD I got an ESRC post-doctoral research fellowship to work with Professor Robert Plomin, also at the SGDP Centre. In 2005 I started a lecturership at UCL. I am currently Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology Research Department, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, UCL.

Together with Professor Eamon McCrory, we co-direct the Developmental Risk and Resilience Unit at UCL. Our research focuses on investigating different developmental pathways to persistent antisocial behaviour, as well as the neurocognitive consequences of childhood maltreatment. We collaborate with researchers within and outside UCL, including colleagues at the Yale Child Study Center, where we both hold adjunct appointments.