Learning from Research Special: 'Developments in Attachment Research' launch event
Attachment theory has long shaped how we understand child and family social care across policy, education, and practice. But much of what circulates in training and guidance today reflects an outdated version of the theory.
Since the 1990s, research on attachment theory has experienced quiet but major revolutions. What we know now challenges some of the core assumptions that still influence decision-making across children’s social care.
Join us for a thought-provoking session with Professor Robbie Duschinsky, author of Developments in Attachment Research (2025), as he unpacks what the latest evidence really says — and explores what it means for practice. Drawing on broad consensus across studies (not just isolated findings), this session will help you reflect critically on how attachment theory is used — and misused — in work with children and families.
This session, which will be livestreamed from the Coram Campus, brings together the book’s author alongside key speakers in psychiatry, clinical psychology and social work.
AGENDA
2.50pm - 3.00pm | Registration
3.00pm - 3.10pm | Welcome
3.10pm 3.15pm | Motivations behind the book, Professor Robbie Duschinsky
3.15pm - 3.30pm | In conversation with Dr Danya Glaser
3.30pm - 3.45pm | In conversation with Professor Alessandro Talia
3.45pm - 4.00pm | In conversation with Dr Sarah Foster
4.00pm - 4.20pm | Comfort Break
4.20pm - 5.00pm | Attachment and practice panel discussion
ABOUT THE BOOK
In tracing changes in attachment theory over time, the book examines the development of scientific evidence and breakthroughs. However, it also examines attachment research within developmental psychology as a culture, considering its leadership, kinship structures, symbols, conflicts, points of entry or exit, and the pressures and opportunities to which it has responded or failed to respond.
The book is free to download and available here: https://fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/academic/pdf/openaccess/9780192882158.pdf
You can also get a discount on a hard copy using the following voucher: https://fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/academic/pdf/authors/promotion/9780192882158-discount.pdf
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Understand how attachment theory has changed over time including how contemporary research has expanded and challenged traditional views of attachment.
Explore how attachment research is shaped not only by evidence but also by the cultural, structural, and institutional dynamics within developmental science.
Recognise the multiplicity of viewpoints within attachment research, enabling more nuanced, flexible, and inclusive approaches to assessment and intervention with children and families.
PRESENTERS
Dr Danya Glaser, Visiting Professor University College London and Retired Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr Danya Glaser MB BS, DCH, FRCPsych, Hon FRCPCH, previously a developmental paediatrician is a Visiting Professor at UCL and retired consultant child & adolescent psychiatrist. At Great Ormond Street Hospital she was named doctor for child protection and headed an integrated child protection service working respectively with the identification and treatment of emotional abuse; providing multidisciplinary assessments for Children Act proceedings as an expert witness and a post protection team working with children who have been seriously maltreated and their current, often new carers. She was a member of the Family Justice Council, past president of ISPCAN chaired the Coram adoption panel. Dr Glaser has taught, researched and written widely on aspects of child maltreatment including the effects of child maltreatment on the developing brain, sexual and emotional abuse, fabricated or induced illness; and Attachment.
Dr Sarah Foster, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University
Sarah Foster is an academic psychologist who teaches psychological and research concepts to students on pre- and post-qualifying social work programmes. Sarah undertakes research exploring applications and implications of psychological concepts to clinical and social work practice. Of particular interest are the concepts of attachment and mentalizing. Sarah has been involved in a Wellcome Trust funded research programme, led by Professor Robbie Duschinsky at Cambridge University, which examined the meaning and implications of the infant disorganised attachment classification. Through her collaboration with Professor Duschinsky, and in her doctoral research, Sarah has explored the relevance of attachment to child welfare assessment practice. Recently, Sarah led development of an international consensus statement on what should be on the attachment core curriculum for child and family social workers. This is available to access for free at https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2025.2531859
Professor Alessandro Talia, Associate Professor, and Researcher, University of Lausanne and University of Heidelberg
Researcher investigating communication and epistemic trust in parent-infant attachments and in psychotherapy. Author of the Patient Attachment Coding System (PACS) and the Therapist Attunement Scales (TASc), measures that predict attachment status and mentalizing based on in-therapy discourse. Also focusses on issues of cognitive pragmatics, philosophy, psychoanalysis, & therapy training.
Professor Robbie Duschinsky, Social Science & Health, University of Cambridge and Director of Studies at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Robbie Duschinsky is Professor of Social Science & Health at the University of Cambridge, and Director of Studies at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He is the author of various books including Sustaining Social Work (Palgrave), Cornerstones of Attachment Research (Oxford University Press) and Mentalizing and Epistemic Trust (Oxford University Press). With Kate White he edited Trauma and Loss: Key Texts from the John Bowlby Archive (Routledge), and with Tommie Forslund he edited the Attachment Theory & Research Reader (Wiley).
WHO'S IT FOR
This event is for children's social workers, team managers, senior practitioners, and anyone working in adoption, fostering and kinship care.
FEES
Members: FREE (don't forget to log in to your account to receive your discount)
Non-members: £20+VAT.
Places on this event are limited, so early booking is recommended.
CONTACT
Telephone: 0207 520 7520 / 0310
Email: events@corambaaf.org.uk
£20.00