Teresa Del Bianco and Yanbo Hu have been awarded the funding from Respect 4 Neurodevelopment for their project that will improve our understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions.
Date: 31 July 2024
Dr Teresa Del Bianco and Dr Yanbo Hu, senior lecturers in psychology at the School of Social Sciences and Professions, have been awarded the Pump-Prime Feasibility Award from Respect 4 Neurodevelopment – funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Medical Research Council and UKRI Network Plus, an initiative bringing together researchers and stakeholders from different disciplines. The funding was awarded for their project "Through Their Eyes: Empowering Neurodivergent Perspectives with Eye Tracking”.
With a robust background as a postdoctoral researcher specializing in eye-tracking, Teresa’s project aims to advance this method to better capture neurodivergent experiences of social attention. Recognized for its ethical approach, multi-disciplinarity, and focus on underserved communities, the award will enable the project to commence in September, spanning research in London, Italy, and China.
This Pump-Prime Feasibility funding promotes innovative research addressing critical gaps in understanding neurodevelopmental conditions. The initiative prioritizes projects that uphold high ethical standards, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and serve underrepresented communities. The funded project embodies these principles, focusing on autism, eye-tracking, and neuro-ethics to develop a more inclusive approach to psychological science.
The awarded funds will be utilized to cover training, travel and public engagement expenses for participants and investigators. This project aligns with London Metropolitan University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy, emphasizing impactful research that addresses societal challenges and promotes inclusivity.
Teresa Del Bianco commented: "This award allows us to explore the unique experiences of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions in a way that has never been done before. It’s a fantastic opportunity to advance our understanding and create more inclusive environments."
Duncan Stewart, Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange at the School of Social Sciences and Professions said: "We are delighted by this award and the opportunities it offers. The complex, collaborative work involved will leave the team well placed to advance their ideas further in subsequent larger grant applications."
Picture (from left): Dr Teresa Del Bianco and Dr Yanbo Hu.