Lucy Henry

Professor Lucy Henry is a Professor of Speech and Language at City, University of London, affiliated with the School of Health Sciences and the Department of Language and Communication Science. She is a qualified Clinical Psychologist with extensive research expertise in cognitive development, memory, language, executive functioning, and witness skills in neurodiverse children and young people. Her work bridges clinical, educational, and forensic psychology with a strong focus on developmental disabilities such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and specific language impairments.

Education:

• BSc in Psychology, University of Bristol
• DPhil in Psychology, University of Oxford
• DClinPsych, King's College London

Research Interests: Her research focuses on working memory, executive functioning, narrative skills, language development, and Hebb repetition learning in children with developmental disorders. She investigates how cognitive skills interact with educational outcomes and legal testimony, particularly in vulnerable populations. Her current projects include a UKRI-ESRC study on the impact of COVID lockdowns on children’s language and executive function (BICYCLE Study), a global reading development initiative, and the CO-IND international collaboration on cognition and intellectual disability.

Publication Trends: Her recent publications center on narrative coherence in autistic adolescents, executive functioning in intellectual disabilities, working memory training interventions, and forensic aspects of child testimony. The research consistently applies interdisciplinary methods, integrating cognitive psychology, developmental science, and educational practice.

Scientific Awards:

• Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (2024)
• Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa, Linköping University, Sweden (2022)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2021)

Advising and Grants: She supervises numerous PhD students and has led multiple funded research projects, including ESRC, Wellcome Trust, and Waterloo Foundation grants. Her principal roles in grants highlight her leadership in developmental and forensic psychology research. She also serves as Co-ordinator for the MSc Conversion Course and Divisional Ethical Lead, demonstrating strong academic leadership.

Labs and Collaborations: She is a key member of the Developmental Assessment and Intervention Research (DAIR) group and collaborates widely with institutions across the UK and Europe, including King’s College London, Goldsmiths, Open University, Linköping University, and the University of Amsterdam.