UT Dallas’ Center for Children and Families will host a research fair Nov. 11 to showcase important ongoing research projects and community participation opportunities.

The fair will take place on the Richardson campus and is open to students, faculty and staff, as well as interested members of the community.

The center, which is part of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, was established two years ago to promote optimal child development by enhancing research, practice and outreach. The center offers an array of clinical and community outreach activities, organized around three initiatives: parenting healthy families, strengthening interpersonal relationships and enhancing thinking and learning.

The research displayed and discussed at the fair will examine many different areas of psychological, development from infancy through adulthood. Faculty and staff from the Center for Children and Families will be available to discuss their latest research on child development as well as share information about the resources available to parents through the center.

Dr. Margaret Owen, director of the center, said she is eager to make area families more aware of the important work going on at UT Dallas.

“I hope this fair will give us a chance to demonstrate the efforts under way to better understand how children develop,” she said. “Our research depends upon partnerships with families from the community through their participation in studies of various aspects of the developmental processes in children’s lives.  We also offer the kind of guidance and expertise that can help parents deal with challenging issues.”

Parents will get to learn about significant advances in research related to autism, parent-child relationships, peer relations, infant development and communication disorders.  Parents who are interested in participating or having their children participate in research projects also will be able to inquire about opportunities and enroll.

The research fair will take place on Nov. 11 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Galaxy Rooms of the Student Union Building. Refreshments will be served.

Organizers want to make the fair an annual event at UT Dallas. For more information on how to participate in the fair or to find out about research opportunities, contact Dr. Lisa Rosen.