The CareTech Foundation is proud to continue its partnership with Birkbeck, University of London, supporting pioneering research that advances our understanding of child development and mproves outcomes for children and young people.
Partnership 2019-2021:
Our partnership began with funding towards the development of the Wohl Wolfson ToddlerLab-the world’s first dedicated research facility designed to study toddler and preschool development in naturalistic environments.
Building on the success of Birkbeck’s BabyLab, the ToddlerLab uses cutting-edge technology to investigate early brain development while also identifying atypical developmental pathways, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The facility enables researchers to study children aged 18 months to four years in environments that reflect everyday life, helping generate new evidence to support earlier identification and intervention.
Our support has specifically enabled the creation of the HomeLab in the Wohl Wolfson ToddlerLab. This cutting edge research environment is a vital part of the new research facility that will help Birkbeck researchers to reach more infants than ever before, not only through research studies themselves but through the impact of these studies, which are hoped one day, to be felt on a global scale.
Despite construction challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ToddlerLab was completed and became operational in 2021, providing a world-leading space for developmental research.
Partnership 2026-2029:
We are delighted to enter a new partnership with Birkbeck through the Blakebank Trust PhD Programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Developing Child.
This programme brings together expertise in cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence to explore how AI-enabled technologies are influencing children’s learning, social development, curiosity and family life.
Our funding will support four fully funded PhD students, who will:
- Advance research into AI and child development.
- Generate evidence to inform parents, educators and policymakers.
- Explore how AI can better support neurodiverse children and those from under-resourced backgrounds.
- Help ensure children and young people are equipped to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.
As AI becomes a growing part of everyday life, understanding its impact on children’s development has never been more important. We are proud to support research that will help create a safer, more inclusive future for children and families.
"There is no cure for neurodevelopmental conditions like autism but with the right interventions, children with these conditions can learn to cope with them and live happier lives. By furthering our understanding of these conditions, the Wohl Wolfson ToddlerLab will help children around the world to do just that.”
“We are incredibly grateful to the CareTech Foundation and the Blakebank Trust, with match funding from the ESRC, for making this programme possible. Their collective investment is not only enabling us to support a new cohort of outstanding PhD researchers but also strengthening Birkbeck’s position at the forefront of interdisciplinary research into AI and child development. This programme will have a lasting impact by advancing knowledge, informing policy and ensuring that emerging technologies are shaped in ways that truly benefit children, families and society.”
“The CareTech Foundation exists to improve the lives of children, young people and adults, including those living in care and individuals with disabilities, by supporting initiatives that deliver lasting social impact. This new PhD programme builds on our long-standing partnership with Birkbeck and our shared commitment to research and innovation that can improve early understanding and identification of developmental needs. By investing in research into how AI is shaping child development, we are helping ensure emerging technologies are used responsibly and in ways that strengthen care, education and outcomes for children and families in the local communities we serve.”
