A leading Durham researcher has received prestigious national recognition for her outstanding and sustained contribution to the field of developmental psychology.
Professor Deborah Riby has been awarded the 2026 Distinguished Contribution Award by the British Psychological Society’s Developmental Psychology Section.
The award is made each year to celebrate an individual who has made a lasting impact on the advancement of developmental psychology through their research, impact, and leadership of the field.
Professor Riby has worked at Durham since 2013 and she is Co-Director of our Centre for Neurodiversity and Development.
The Centre brings together researchers, practitioners and communities to advance understanding of neurodiversity and developmental differences across the lifespan, with the aim of improving wellbeing, inclusion and real-world outcomes.
Durham research has helped advance understanding of neurodiversity and neurodivergent experiences, including autism and Williams syndrome which are two areas of Professor Riby’s expertise.
Professor Riby has been a member of the Professional Advisory Panel for the Williams Syndrome Foundation national charity for over 15 years.
These lifelong forms of neurodiversity are associated with different ways of thinking, learning, communicating and engaging with the world.
Professor Riby’s work has helped shape knowledge of social development, attention, learning and wellbeing, while informing educational practice and support for neurodivergent young people and their families.
As well as conducting core research, a strong focus is on making a real-world impact.
For example with the flagship Triple-A framework which has been used by over 9,000 educators to support neurodivergent pupils in school, of which Professor Riby is co-lead.
Professor Riby has played a major leadership role in the field of developmental psychology.
She previously chaired the British Psychological Society’s Developmental Psychology Section and has represented the field on UKRI and ESRC research grant panels and on the REF2021 assessment panel.
In 2023, Professor Riby was Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences for the breadth of her contributions to developmental psychology and across the social sciences.
Professor Riby said: "Having been a member of the BPS since 1997, I am deeply honoured to receive this award from the BPS Developmental Section. This recognition reflects the contributions of the many colleagues, students, families and partner organisations I have had the privilege to work with throughout my career to date. Together, we have sought to improve understanding of neurodevelopmental diversity and support positive outcomes for individuals and their families."
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