Professor Debbie Riby

Professor of Developmental Psychology

What do you do?

I am a developmental psychologist and co-Director of the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development at Durham University. My research focusses on neurodiversity and neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Autism and Williams syndrome. Our work combines basic science research and translational projects aiming to make a positive difference to those with lived experience of neurodivergence. I am passionate about working with charities, stakeholders, schools, families, and young people with lived experience to ensure our work is positively impactful.  

How are you involved in this area of science? 

Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare neurodevelopmental condition associated with mild-moderate learning disability which affects approximately 1 in every 18,000 people. The rarity means that new research evidence is especially important and support for families impacted by the condition is crucial. I collaborate with the Williams Syndrome Foundation (WSF) charity and have done so now for over 20 years.

Since 2014, I have also been a member of their professional advisory panel. We have been able to support families with new research conducted in Durham on issues such as heightened anxiety and how this interacts with social vulnerabilities and education. We publish journal articles, attend events such as the WSF National Convention to meet parents and families, present research to WS charities across Europe and around the world, produce booklets to facilitate parent-teacher discussion of anxiety, and hold workshops and online seminars ... to name a few.  

What do you love about this topic?

I love working with Williams syndrome (WS) families and the WSF charity as it ensures that the work we conduct reflects the lived experiences of those most impacted by the condition. I am privileged to work with WS families across the UK and internationally too, including in Japan. In Spring 2024, I was involved in delivering two events in Tokyo and Nara where we hosted over 110 WS families who had travelled from all over Japan. The rarity of WS and the reduced availability of information in Japanese mean that supporting so many Japanese WS families is especially meaningful.  

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

We have captured the impact of many of our initiatives developed with the Williams syndrome community over the years. When parents told us they wanted information on anxiety in WS to share with schools, we produced research-informed booklets. Parents told us “the best thing about the Anxiety booklet was that it reinforced some of the issues that I had been trying to explain to school”, with teachers reporting they were “useful to increase awareness”. We are always pleased when we can use research evidence to make a positive impact on quality of life for WS individuals and their families. 

Find out more:

• Learn more about work to support Williams Syndrome families
• Explore the work of the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development at Durham
• Find out more about Williams Syndrome and the work of the Williams Syndrome Foundation
• Read more about the work of Professor Debbie Riby