School of Health & Wellbeing

The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory is to become a leading research and teaching centre

The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory and University Centre for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities have merged, bringing together multi-disciplinary researchers to form one of the UK’s largest research centres dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Observatory was set up in 2015 and produces scientifically robust evidence that builds understanding of the determinants of health and healthcare inequalities alongside research that is focused on understanding how these inequalities can be addressed. Through this merger, the Observatory will also welcome the integration of post-graduate learning and teaching.

As a research centre, the Observatory will deliver work under two core themes:

1. Determinants of Health and Health Inequalities, which focuses on understanding why people with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience such profound health inequalities, through meta-analyses, systematic reviews and through analysing routine health and population data.
2. Solutions Focused Research, which will draw on evidence from epidemiology and evidence synthesis, and observations from clinical practice to design complex health improvement interventions that can be tested using clinical trials.

Director Professor Deborah Cairns told us:

"We are bringing together internationally renowned experts to deliver rigorous research that will address the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to our research, we have an innovative teaching programme which is uniquely positioned to deliver the most up-to-date, evidence informed qualifications and learning opportunities for health and social care practitioners.

We will continue to ensure that the Observatory’s research and teaching is informed by the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and we look forward to expanding our connections with self-advocates, families, carers and support organisations, who are at the heart of everything we do. We are more determined than ever to empower and improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and we are confident that we can do this with the support of our incredible collaborators with whom we have worked so closely over the years."

Find out more about the work of the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory

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First published: 14 March 2023