Life Span Institute
We are a network of more than 400 KU scientists, students and staff who strive to improve the health of individuals and communities through research, service and outreach.
Featured News
Life Span researchers join with PBS project to improve access to media literacy for students
The project, funded through a grant from the Library of Congress, will address the growing gap between students with disabilities and their peers in reading, writing and civics.
Study: All students, teachers benefit when support provided for self-determination model of instruction
A KU program implemented the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction in 15 schools and found that when it was provided with online training models and coaching, schools were more likely to implement it with fidelity and continue its use.
Study finds people with pre-existing disabilities had long COVID at much higher rates
An analysis of a national health survey showed individuals with pre-existing disabilities who contracted COVID suffered long COVID at much higher rates than their nondisabled peers. This exacerbates existing barriers to health care access and inequities in health, requiring an adjustment of health policy, researchers say.
Life Span partners with teachers, schools to train early-childhood special educators; publishes guide for teacher prep programs
Project MounTaiN at KU is in its second year of training working and future teachers to better serve early childhood students with high-incidence disabilities and partnering with area schools to provide student teaching and support to education centers. The project also published a guide for other teacher prep programs looking to improve.
Research at a Glance
$41.4M
in research awards in FY23
435
investigators, staff and students
70
years of improving human health and development
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
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
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.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.