CeDAR (Centre for Developmental Adversity & Resilience)
CeDAR 
scientifically and holistically explores the interplay of childhood abuse and neglect and neurodevelopmental factors, so we can best understand how their interaction shapes our mental health and wellbeing as we grow.
We know that those who experience adversity in childhood can often face challenges in later life that extend far beyond their mental health, impacting social relationships, physical health, and economic stability. We also know that many who face similar challenges will thrive. This conundrum lies at the heart of what we do: investigating our incredible human development, in all its diversity, and how society can nurture its potential!
Our team starts with people's stories and experiences, combines them with cutting-edge research and technology to develop evidence-based early interventions that aim to improve life outcomes. Our diverse group, from interdisciplinary fields, bring both professional expertise and live experience across our intersecting research themes:
Early mental health: Recovery, resilience and life after maltreatment
Neurodevelopment and neurodivergence: Experiences, identities and influencing systems for change
Complex presentations: Empowering young people facing serious mental health challenges
Two Fully Funded PhD Opportunities
1. Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) funded PhD
Mapping the care journeys of opioid-exposed children in Scotland
3.5 years and funded placement
Optional funded Masters
Supervisiors: Dr Louise Marryat, Professor Helen Minnis, Dr Martha Canfield
Two references required at application
CLOSING DATE 24 MARCH 2026
2. Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith (LKAS) funded PhD
Using UK-wide data to study outcomes after opioid exposure in pregnancy
Shape you own topic (e.g. education, mental health, NAS, cross-nation analyses)
Draw on the UK Opioid in Pregnancy Study
CLOSING DATE 12 APRIL 2026
Both studentships include full files and UKRI stipend and the chance to produce research with real-world policy impact.
INTERESTED or WANT AN INFORMAL CHAT - contact louise.marryat@glasgow.ac.uk
Our research
Videos & Podcasts
Sharon Graham, Glasgow Researcher awarded Adoption Services Fellowship - Interview with STV 4th September 2023
Dar Ethel Nakimuli-Mpungu, Professor of Psychiatry, Makerere, University of Kampala - The mind and body connection -findings from group support psychotherapy among persons living with HIV in Uganda - 31st May 2023
Interviews with world leading practitioners in Child Mental Health - 29th August 2022
Young people and complex analyses - 21st December 2021
Attachment Matters - Professor Helen Minnis' Presentation slides - 10th May 2021
How early adversity and neurodevelopment interact - Professor Helen Minnis - 13th May 2021
ACAMH - the Mental Elf. CAMHS around the Campfire. Discussing Dr Rachel Hiller's JCPP paper 'A longitudinal study of cognitive predictors of (complex) post-traumatic stress in young people in and-of-home care' - 29th March 2021
Maltreatment - Associated Psychiatric Problems - How Trauma and ESSENCE are Linked. Professor Helen Minnis, Key Note Speaker, Birgit Olsson Lecture, Gothenburg - 27th November 2019
How to manage children's anxiety (Davidson Murphy, Educational Psychologist) - Belly Breathing and How to Avoid Becoming a Lizard - 5th October 2017
JCPP Podcast (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry): Maltreatment-associated neurodevelopmental disorders. Professor Helen Minnis, University of Glasgow and Lisa Dinkler, University of Gothenburg - 8th February 2017