Valentina Sclafani

I am a developmental psychologist with a background in Neuroscience specialising in early parent-infant interactions, with a focus on maternal and infant well-being. My research spans cross-cultural perspectives on maternal bonding, maternal speech, and early childhood development, including comparative studies between the UK and Malaysia. I also conduct cross-species studies comparing early mother-infant interactions in human and non-human primates to trace the evolutionary roots of parenting behviours.

My work also includes evaluating intervention programmes supporting parent-infant relationships and child development, collaborating with schools and maternal mental health services aimed at supporting parent-infant relationships and child development. I am passioante about applying research insights to real-world settings to improve the lives of families and children.

I am currently Chair of Ethics for the School of Psychology, Sport Science, and Wellbeing at the University of Lincoln UK, ensuring rigorous ethical standards in research governance.