Get Involved
Participating in research is a meaningful way to contribute to science that benefits children and families everywhere. Science can only move forward when families like yours choose to share their time and trust with us. Every visit — whether it's a brief interaction or a longer study — contributes to knowledge that ultimately serves children and families for generations.
We understand that participating in research is a choice, and we take that seriously. You will always know what to expect, your child's comfort is our top priority, and you can stop at any time for any reason. There is no obligation — just the chance to learn something new about your child while supporting important work.
Help researchers understand how children grow, learn, and develop — knowledge that informs education, health care, and social policy.
Many families tell us they enjoy seeing their child engage with our activities and learning more about how their little one thinks and grows.
Developmental research has historically relied on narrow samples. By participating, you help ensure our findings reflect the diversity of children's lives.
Filling out this form puts you in touch with our research team. There is absolutely no obligation — you can ask questions, learn more, or simply let us know you're interested. We'll follow up at a pace that works for you.
Still have questions? Email us at wildlab@uci.edu — we're happy to chat.
You and your child may be invited to participate in a variety of research activities. Most commonly, these involve completing questionnaires about parenting, health, and early life experiences. In some studies, we may ask you or your baby to wear heart rate sensors or participate in assessments using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a safe, non-invasive imaging technology. All equipment used in our studies is lightweight, safe, and tested for use with newborns.
Participation in any study activity is always voluntary. You may choose to participate in only some components of a study and still be eligible to take part in the research.
We understand that family schedules can be busy, and we strive to make participation as convenient as possible. Most study visits take no more than 1.5 hours from start to finish. Depending on the study, we may ask you to complete a few activities at home before or after your visit, such as answering questionnaires or participating in a brief interview with a researcher. In addition, many aspects of our studies can be completed entirely remotely, allowing you to participate at a time that works best for your family.
We also offer flexible scheduling and can often accommodate appointments after school, on weekends, or during school holidays to fit your family's needs.
Participants are compensated for their time at each stage of a study, and we offer free parking and reimbursement for transportation when applicable. We also often provide small gifts for you and your child as a token of our appreciation.
Yes. Once the study is complete and analyzed, we will share a plain-language summary of our findings with all families who participated. We also post updates to this website and our social media channels.