Carolina Consortium on Human Development (CCHD)

In 1987, a group of faculty researchers from neighboring universities in North Carolina formed a research and training consortium based upon common scientific interests and concern that would cross the usual institutional structures and disciplinary boundaries. Named the Carolina Consortium on Human Development (CCHD), the goal of the CCHD was to promote interdisciplinary research and training in developmental science.

The Carolina Consortium on Human Development (CCHD) seeks to train productive researchers and creative scientists in an interdisciplinary program that is unique in its focus and breadth. This program is organized and administered across traditional institutional and discipline boundaries: the mentor training faculty come from over 20 different academic units that are based at six cooperating universities and colleges (Duke University, Meredith College, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). This arrangement permits the Consortium to bring together a strong and diverse group of developmental scientists who share a commitment to the rigorous study of developmental processes. Trainees come to this program from various backgrounds and build on a common interest in development to become interdisciplinary developmental scientists. The fellows have unique opportunities that are centered around four basic aims:

• exploring the theoretical and methodological foundations of developmental science;

• providing direct experience in longitudinal research;

• applying developmental science to real-world issues; and

• facilitating collaborative training opportunities that extend beyond the usual boundaries of disciplines, departments, and institutions.

These aims are realized through:

• research opportunities with at least two different laboratories representing related but diverse approaches to issues of development;

• weekly consortium meetings of the trainees and faculty with eminent scholars on issues in developmental science;

• workshops and symposia on targeted issues in developmental science, such as advanced consideration of history and theory, ethical issues, and methodological and analytic issues, obtaining research funding and development of grant applications, and other issues that trainees wish to consider;

• collaborative research opportunities with mentor faculty, particularly as supported by ongoing collaborative research at the center for developmental science;

• experience with all aspects of longitudinal research, from conception, design, and IRB approval, to data collection, management, analysis, and publication; and

• forums for discussing the application of developmental science to real-world issues and the ethical issues that arise, as well as direct experience in projects that apply developmental science to real-world issues, for trainees who seek this experience.

The program accepts postdoctoral trainees for a 2-year fellowship and predoctoral trainees for a 1-year fellowship. Predoctoral trainees must be registered in a doctoral program and have completed their basic departmental course requirements prior to entering the one-year predoctoral training program.