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Azrieli Accelerator

Advancing research in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan 

Powering collaborative research in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental conditions

With generous support from the Azrieli Foundation, the Azrieli Accelerator brings together transdisciplinary research teams across UCalgary to accelerate research and create impact in our priority areas. 

Building connections across campus and beyond

The Azrieli Accelerator fosters a culture of collaboration. We connect researchers from different disciplines to help them share their expertise and creativity. We build capacity for researchers to work with community, and for community members with lived experience to become partners in research.

Researchers

The Azrieli Accelerator offers funding, learning opportunities, and new collaborative networks to advance research with impact in the fields of neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental conditions with a lifespan approach.

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Community members

Engaging individuals with lived experience of neurodevelopmental conditions is pivotal to our research and leads to ideas and innovations that will directly impact the community.

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Message from the Director

“We welcome the opportunity to work with groups across UCalgary and strengthen transdisciplinary collaborations across campus in the fields of neurodevelopment, neurodiversity, and neurodevelopmental conditions. The Azrieli Accelerator is designed to be a launching pad for new research, and a catalyst for change."

Susan Graham headshot

Dr. Susan Graham, PhD

Scientific Director, Azrieli Accelerator


Exploring neurodevelopment across the lifespan

Neurodevelopmental conditions are a group of heterogenous conditions emergent in early childhood that affect brain development. These conditions persist throughout an individual’s lifespan, impacting behavioural, social, cognitive, and motor abilities in different ways with variable levels of impact from person to person and across different conditions. Neurodevelopmental conditions encompass a wide spectrum of disabilities, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, specific learning disorders, communication disorders, motor disorders and Tourette syndrome, genetic neurodevelopmental syndromes (such as Fragile X), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), cerebral palsy, among others. 


In the news

Article

Working with Indigenous Communities to celebrate stories through narrative writing and community-led gatherings

One Child Every Child scholar Stephanie Bartlett documents language and cultural revitalization

Article

What matters to patients drives research: UCalgary’s first role in UNIFIED

Dr. Deborah Marshall named to lead Calgary-based part of international study

Article

How neurodiversity can be a strength in sport

From Olympic champions to everyday movement, UCalgary researcher Laura St. John is rethinking physical activity for neurodiverse girls and women

Article

UCalgary receives $2.5M grant to improve navigation of support systems for multiple neurodivergent communities

Social work researcher Dr. David Nicholas and colleagues to address gaps in accessing services

Article

Research explores the experience of Black immigrant and refugee families living with neurodevelopmental conditions

With an Azrieli Accelerator Catalyst Grant, Roz Zulla leads a transdisciplinary team studying the unique challenges in accessing supports and services

Featured events


Azrieli Family

The Azrieli Foundation Gives from the Heart

A transformative gift from the Azrieli Foundation aims to improve the lives of children and adults living with neurodevelopmental disabilities

Read more about this groundbreaking gift

Azrieli Accelerator

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