News

Simon Baron-Cohen reflects on autism theory and announces new gift to establish research centre

7 July 2026

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen has reflected on the language used in his influential "extreme male brain" theory of autism, describing the phrase as unhelpful despite continuing to support the underlying scientific concepts. The University of Cambridge has received a US$34.5 million (£26 million) philanthropic gift from K...

Cambridge researchers awarded UKRI funding to explore the boundary between delusional and non-delusional beliefs

1 June 2026

Researchers from the Department of Psychiatry are part of a major new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)-funded project examining how delusional, conspiracist and culturally accepted beliefs are formed, experienced and understood. The interdisciplinary project, Exploring the Grey Zone: A Biopsychosocial Approach to...

Mapping the changing brain: new study reveals key phases across the lifespan

17 April 2026

Researchers have identified distinct phases in the development and ageing of the human brain, offering important insights into cognition, mental health, and lifelong brain resilience. The study, led by neuroscientists including Duncan Astle at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, analysed MRI...

Psychiatry academics call for follow-up research on gender clinic cohort

25 February 2026

The Times has published a letter from a group of senior psychiatry academics urging renewed efforts to undertake a comprehensive follow-up study of children and young people previously seen by the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock Clinic. The letter responds to the Department of Health’s decision...

Should the Government ban social media for young people?

20 February 2026

Pressure is mounting in the UK for restrictions on young people’s social media use, following Australia’s decision to introduce a ban for under-16s last December. The UK government has launched a public consultation exploring a range of options — including a potential ban — and is seeking new legal powers to act more...

Study sets out evidence-informed principles to help schools respond to student self-harm.

13 February 2026

A recently completed study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge has developed a set of evidence-informed principles of practice to help schools respond more effectively and compassionately to self-harm among young people. Published in BMC Public Health, the qualitative study brings together the perspectives of...

Government needs to generate better evidence on SEND provision as part of the reforms

13 February 2026

The government is about to announce major changes to the SEND service, but how strong is the evidence for the principles guiding the reforms? The HOPE study (Health Outcomes for young People throughout Education), published in a report by researchers at UCL and the University of Cambridge, provides qualitative evidence...

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PhD Completion Interview Chantal Miller

5 February 2026

Chantal Miller Name: Chantal Miller-Silva Research group: Cambridge Centre for Precision Psychiatry and Data Science (CPPDS) Supervisor: Prof. Graham Murray Advisor: Dr Jane Garrison Title of your PhD: Investigating the Role of Prior Expectations in the Psychosis Continuum Can you give us a short background into what your...

‘The world has not yet learned from the COVID crisis’ experts warn

5 February 2026

New research published in The Lancet Psychiatry warns that the world has not yet learned key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic when it comes to mental health. The research argues that mental health must be treated as a core component of pandemic preparedness, rather than a downstream consequence. The work was conducted...

MPhil Completion Interview Roderick Hou

27 January 2026

photo_edited.jpg Name: Roderick Hou Research group: SCIPHER Lab Supervisor: Dr. Rajeev Krishnadas Advisor: Dr. Graham Murray Title of your PhD/MPhil: MPhil in Medical Science (Psychiatry) Can you give us a short background into what your PhD/MPhil was about? Interoception–the perception and integration of internal bodily...