The Centre of Excellence for Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research (InterLearn) investigates the links between children's learning and mental health, and the factors that explain the effectiveness of learning support interventions. Previous longitudinal studies have shown that early learning problems are developmentally linked to a wide range of well-being and mental health problems. However, the determinants and developmental mechanisms of problem accumulation are poorly understood. It is also known that some pupils benefit significantly less than others from learning support interventions that have been found to be effective on average, but the reasons for this variation are not yet known.
Longitudinal and intervention studies carried out in the Centre of Excellence aim to gain new insights into the characteristics of individuals or growth and learning environments that predispose them to difficulties in psychosocial development and learning. In addition to risk factors for development and learning, we also aim to identify factors that protect and promote development and learning. The knowledge generated will be applied to develop more effective and personalised ways of supporting learning and well-being.
Three research groups are involved in the Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Finland for the period 2022 – 2029: the research group of the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä, the research group of the Department of Education at the University of Jyväskylä and the research group of Psychology and Speech Therapy/FinnBrain at the University of Turku. The multidisciplinary nature of the Centre of Excellence and its diverse experience in different research methods allow for an integrative approach to research, combining different perspectives to produce genuinely new understanding of development and learning.
