London: 29th April 2010: Dr Essi Viding, an outstanding young developmental psychologist from University College London specialising in the causes of violent antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents, has been named by the British Academy and Wiley-Blackwell as the winner of the 2010 Wiley Prize, awarded for the first time this year to an early career scholar.
The Academy's Wiley Prize in Psychology, worth £5,000, was created in 2009 as an annual award to recognize outstanding contributions in a field of psychology. For the first time this year it rewards research by a younger UK-based psychologist (within five years of receipt of doctorate) whose research and achievements show exceptional promise.
The Prize alternates annually between "lifetime achievement" and "outstanding promise". The first award in 2009, for lifetime achievement, went to one of the world's leading pioneers of modern psychology, Professor Martin Seligman, who directs the University of Pennsylvania's world famous Positive Psychology Center.
Dr Viding's work brings together genetics, social development and cognitive neuroscience in innovative new ways to explore the causes of violent antisocial behaviour in young people. She was appointed Reader in Developmental Psychopathology at UCL in 2008 and is heavily committed to translating her basic science findings into practice with advisory roles for school based interventions and government policy. Dr Viding is at the top of her field, not only in developmental psychopathology, but also ranking highly in the much broader field of social cognition.
Essi Viding, Winner of the 2010 British Academy Wiley Prize in Psychology said:
"It is a great honour that the British Academy and Wiley-Blackwell have recognised the research I conduct with my team and collaborators. I have been fortunate that UCL have strongly supported my early career development. This Prize is also a testament to the wonderful mentoring I have been lucky to receive to date."
Sir Adam Roberts, President of the British Academy said:
"Encouraging talented younger researchers is a crucial part of the British Academy's mission and I'm delighted that the Wiley Prize enables us to offer just this kind of national recognition. Dr Viding is undoubtedly one of the country's most exciting new talents in psychology research and I'm certain we'll hear a great deal more of her in the coming years."
Philip Carpenter, VP and Managing Director, Social Science and Humanities at Wiley-Blackwell, said:
"John Wiley and Sons has a deep commitment to supporting research and publication in psychology and we are therefore proud to sponsor the British Academy's Wiley Prize.
"Following last year's award to Professor Martin Seligman, we are delighted that the 2010 prize is being given to Dr Essi Viding for her outstanding work in developmental psychopathology, which includes a number of key articles in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and other Wiley publications."
For further information on this award please contact:
Kate Turnbull at the British Academy: 020 7969 5263 or e-mail: k.turnbull@britac.ac.uk
Julia Lampam at John Wiley and Sons: 01243 770668 or email: jlampam@wiley.com
EDITOR'S NOTES
The British Academy is the UK's national academy for the humanities and social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in these disciplines throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value. For more information about the Academy please go to our website at www.britac.ac.uk.
About Wiley:
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfil their aspirations. Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 400 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology/Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace. Wiley's core businesses include scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, encyclopaedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade books, subscription products, training materials, online applications and websites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's website can be accessed at www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb. Wiley-Blackwell is the international scientific, technical, medical and scholarly publishing business of John Wiley & Sons, with strengths in every major academic and professional field and partnerships with many of the world's leading societies. Wiley-Blackwell publishes nearly 1,500 peer-reviewed journals and 1,500+ new books annually in print and online, as well as databases, major reference works and laboratory protocols. For more information, please visit www.wileyblackwell.com or www.interscience.wiley.com.