Research that improves lives and shapes healthier futures
Discover how we are turning evidence into action to improve health, wellbeing and development across the lifespan and for generations to come.
We are an Australian research institute dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing throughout the lifespan and for future generations.
We started as the Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED, 2015–2020), with a strong focus on early childhood development. In 2021, we expanded our scope to cover all stages of life, becoming SEED Lifespan (2021–2025) and continuing our work as a highly successful Strategic Research Centre. Now as a Deakin Institute, we’re building on this strong foundation to broaden our reach, deepen our partnerships and amplify our impact.
We are integrated with Deakin University’s School of Psychology and embedded within the Deakin Institutes for Health, and bring together researchers who specialise in social and psychological science.
Our strategy
We are committed to improving health, wellbeing and development outcomes from the earliest opportunity. The knowledge we generate shapes policy, drives best practice and creates a lasting impact for individuals, families and communities.
Our research
Our research covers many areas, these are just some of our focus areas:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Family relationships
- Trauma
- Neurodiversity
- Brain development
- Traumatic brain injury
- Reproductive health
- Chronic physical health conditions
Our people
Our leading researchers conduct world class longitudinal studies into human development, design and test interventions that improve health and wellbeing and translate evidence into policy and practice. This work is supported by strong expertise in data science, evidence synthesis and meaningful engagement with people with lived and living experience.
Our partners
We deeply value our partners and their expertise. We work with those across health and education systems to co-create research that leads to solutions that respond to real needs. By embedding partnership at every stage, we ensure our work translates into both policy and practice, creating lasting impact.