Learn Lab York is a research group based in the Department of Psychology at the University of York, led by Dr Emma James.

Our research investigates how children, adolescents, and adults learn — with a particular focus on language and literacy development. We explore the cognitive and developmental processes that support learning across the lifespan, from acquiring new words to accessing complex texts. Our work asks fundamental questions such as: How do learning and memory systems change as we grow? Why do some individuals face difficulties in language or reading acquisition? And how can we support better learning outcomes for young people?  

We use a combination of experimental methods and large-scale secondary data analyses to build evidence that informs both theory and real-world practice. Our studies are grounded in open science and a strong commitment to reproducibility. 

We are closely linked with the Sleep, Language, and Memory Lab and Developmental Research Group. We are also part of the School and University Network for Research Across Yorkshire (SUNRAY).