Laura Lee

I am a research assistant working in the Centre for Emerging Minds. My work focuses on understanding the role of shame in adolescent hair-pulling disorder, one of a group of conditions known as Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs). I am supervised by Dr Polly Waite and Prof Clare Mackay. My research aims to better understand the emotional and psychological processes underlying these conditions, with a view to improving recognition and informing more effective interventions.

I am also part of the organising committee for BFRB CON 2026, a conference bringing together researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience to advance understanding of BFRBs and strengthen collaboration across disciplines.

In addition, I work with the Anxiety and Depression in Young People (AnDY) Research Clinic in Oxford, which provides assessment and evidence-based treatment for young people aged 4–17 with anxiety disorders and depression, alongside opportunities to participate in research.

Prior to my current role, I worked as a research assistant in the Spelke Lab, at Harvard University. My work there focused on visual perspective-taking in 3-year-old children and and the development of social relationships in infancy.