Annette M. E. Henderson, PhD
Professor, School of Psychology
Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland
The research we do examines the role that a diverse range of factors, including experiential and biological factors, play in the development of cooperation in early childhood. Cooperation includes linguistic (e.g., using words to effectively communicate) and non-linguistic (e.g., working together to achieve a shared goal) behaviour. Understanding the development of cooperation is crucial because our everyday functioning, overall wellbeing, and the very survival of our species, rests on our abilities to work well and cooperate with others.
At the foundation of the research in ELLA is the development, validation and use of innovative methods to assess key social and cognitive abilities. The team uses a broad range of methodological tools, such as eye-tracking, behavioural measures, naturalistic behavioural observation, and genetic sampling. We develop and use these methods across broad age ranges (0-7 years of age) and diverse interactive contexts, including parent-child interactions, child-child interactions, and infant-experimenter interactions.
The quality and impact of my research have been recognized by the receipt of a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship (2015), grants by national funders (e.g., Marsden Fund), and publications in top-tier international journals. I was the previous President of the Australasian Human Development Association (AHDA) and am on the editorial board for the International Journal of Behavioral Development.
As Director of the Early Learning Lab, I love working with a diverse and passionate team of researchers interested in early childhood development and enjoy meeting the families who visit our research centre.
Please contact me if you would like more information about my research, or the Early Learning Lab.
Email: a.henderson@auckland.ac.nz
Google Scholar: shorturl.at/xEP56
University Directory: https://www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/people/a-henderson