Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences

The Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences (FANS) is one of the few in the world bringing together experts in brain development and antisocial behaviour.

Current research topics include:

• how and why abnormalities in brain maturation lead to cognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric disorders, e.g. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
• how genes and the environment influence brain development
• brain imaging studies e.g. on psychopathy, ASD
• how and why antisocial and criminal behaviours develop among people with mental disorders, and how to reduce them
• medico-legal research, e.g. on fitness to plead
• treatment and support for adults with ADHD.

FANS is part of the Behavioural & Developmental Psychiatry Clinical Academic Group (CAG) within King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC). A key aim of the AHSC is to improve clinical practice by strengthening links with local researchers and teachers. We are well-placed to do this as our Head of Department, Professor Declan Murphy, is also Academic Director for the CAG and clinical lead for adult services for ASD and ADHD at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM). FANS Education Lead is Professor Tom Fahy, who is Joint Clinical Director for the CAG, leading the Forensic Service at SLaM.

Every week in term-time FANS hosts the well-attended Friday Morning Teaching sessions for students and local clinicians, including case conferences and research presentations. We have two postgraduate taught programmes, Forensic Mental Health and Mental Health in Learning Difficulties, and a growing number of PhD students.

Students embarking on our postgraduate taught programmes are invited to a three-day induction programme focusing on basic mental health concepts. All students have access to courses provided by the Graduate School and the Department of Biostatistics at the IoP.

The IoP shares the same site as the world famous Maudsley Hospital, which is part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) - one of the largest mental health providers in Europe. King’s is committed to translational research and is proud to be the only university in the country to host three National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) and six MRC centres. At the IoP we partner with SLaM to host the only specialist BRC for Mental Health in the UK working towards better treatment, earlier diagnosis and individualised healthcare. Students also have access to the largest library in Europe dedicated to psychiatry and related disciplines.