Today’s children are society’s future. They are growing up in a world filled with challenges: inequality, polarisation, globalisation, climate change and the rise of big tech. How do we help them recognise the opportunities and risks of these changes? How do we nurture their curiosity and guide them toward becoming responsible, critical thinkers? How can we create the best possible learning environment for them? And how do we safeguard their mental health?

Leiden University conducts innovative, high-quality research on children and young people’s emotional, social and cognitive development, and the contexts in which they grow up. This research integrates disciplines such as education and child studies, developmental psychology, law, health sciences and linguistics. Our expertise spans key issues such as bullying, online behaviour, children’s rights, equal opportunities, and mental and physical health. We are committed to improving the future of families facing severe challenges and to developing effective measures within juvenile and health law. We focus on the professionals who support children’s learning and development, and actively engage parents, young people and professionals in our research. Through integrated solutions, we aim to improve mental and physical health, and share our findings with the public, the media and civil society.

Additionally, we offer strong programmes in education and child studies, teaching, developmental psychology, child law, children’s rights, and mental and physical healthcare, as well as a wide range of primary and secondary teacher training programmes.