The Iowa Center for Developmental and Learning Sciences (ICDLS) brings together a community of scientists with a shared commitment to interdisciplinary research on processes of development and learning. Our members seek to understand processes from neurons to neighborhoods, embracing the complexity that underlies the integration of brain, mind, body, physical environment, social relationships, and large-scale social systems. This enterprise is motivated by a desire to understand factors that modulate and shape development and learning--whether adaptive or maladaptive. Such understanding is central to the development of effective clinical interventions.

The ICDLS builds on a history of 20th century excellence. Our two founding 'home' departments--the Departments of Psychology and Speech Pathology & Audiology--have an unprecedented history of scholarship. Moreover, the fields of developmental science and speech pathology have their origins at Iowa.

What does the ICDLS offer for the next century? We offer 'straight think'--straight talk about thinking, behavior, learning, and development--informed by research that brings the developmental and learning sciences into the 21st century. Rather than reaching for easy answers and simplistic explanations which can be harmful when disseminated, our members work to confront the complexity of process--to understand how multiple factors travel together and interrelate through time, and how stability and change emerges from these interactions.

The ICDLS is uniquely positioned to conduct the research that will set the standard in the 21st century through our interdisciplinary approach and the strength of our members. The ICDLS has 12 full faculty members and 12 affiliate members from the Departments of Psychology, Speech Pathology & Audiology, and Computer Science, as well as the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa. We have received substantial backing from our home departments and from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and we are experiencing a period of rapid growth including a $78,000 renovation of existing space within Spence Laboratories of Psychology to house the center.

If you would like additional information about the ICDLS or you would like to join our group, please contact one of our co-Directors: Karla McGregor or John P. Spencer.