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Research that improves lives

The KU Life Span Institute discovers, develops and delivers approaches to improve the health and development of people in Kansas, throughout the region, and beyond. We are a network of more than 350 KU scientists, staff and students who work toward a world where everyone thrives.

Featured News

Students talk in a school hallway in an image from the virtual reality system VOISS.

KU research team develops virtual reality, AI-boosted system to help students with autism improve social skills

A KU research team has secured funding to boost systems called iKNOW and VOISS to help students with autism spectrum disorder improve social skills in a school setting.
A father hugs his school-aged son who is smiling while they sit together

Reauthorization of Autism CARES Act to provide almost $2 billion for autism programs and research

Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training researchers explain how funding provided by the bill is essential to funding the new discoveries and to addressing the needs of the autism community in Kansas and across the U.S.
A woman with long dark hair tied back in a ponytail and a brown sweater prepares food in a kitchen

Study examines how culture, family and identity shape body image challenges for Hispanic women

Better understanding of eating disorders is necessary to both identification and development of effective treatment, but the Latina demographic has historically been underrepresented in research.
A man struggles to hold a spoon steady with drawings of brains and an illustration of a DNA strand overlaid

Understudied but ‘significant public health issue’ FXTAS is focus of first-of-its-kind research at KU

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome may be more common than people realize because it looks so much like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases. Some physicians may even be unaware of the condition.
Collage of 3/4 view of the Dole Center

Ranked #1 Worldwide

Life Span Institute science and scholarship fuels the university's new #1 ranking worldwide in developmental disability research.

Scholar GPS Ranks KU No. 1

Research at a Glance

$46M
in funding in FY24
350
investigators, staff and students
70
years of improving human health and development
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Our Commitment

Explore how our researchers, staff and students come together to solve problems affecting the health of children, families and communities.

Helping People Thrive
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Our Work

Learn about the research of more than 130 investigators working on dozens of projects spanning education, self-determination, disability policy, neuroscience, behavior, language, child development and more.

Explore research projects
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Research Rising

Research Rising will address the complex genetic, biological, and environmental factors that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities, and how best to develop interventions to support individuals with IDD so that they can live their best lives.

Research Rising

Explore the Life Span Institute

People

More than 400 investigators, staff and students are part of the KU Life Span Institute. Find individual staff and connect with our research centers.

Research Impact

View stories about the impact of our research, grant news, and discoveries from the fields of education, addiction, autism spectrum disorder, community health and more.

Research Support

Connect with services that support researchers including study design, grant development, award support, and video and web production.