In his research, Bram Orobio de Castro focuses on the development of aggressive behavioural problems in children, and how these problems can be prevented or treated most effectively. He hopes his research will lead him to find the causes that perpetuate certain behavioural patterns. This knowledge may contribute to developing more effective methods to counter problematic behaviour.

As professor, Orobio de Castro will focus on preventing and treating psychosocial problems in vulnerable children and young people in difficult circumstances, such as families where problems are unintentionally passed down from generation to generation.

About Bram Orobio de Castro

Bram Orobio de Castro has been a professor of Developmental Psychology at Utrecht University since 2006. He teaches several classes in the Bachelor's, Master's, PhD and postgraduate phases of the programme. Orobio de Castro serves as chair of the national subcommittee for the recognition of effective psychosocial interventions for children and young people (DEI).

He also serves as the chair of ExtrAct, a consortium aimed at finding effective elements for the treatment of behavioural problems, as well as ‘Wat werkt tegen pesten?’ (What will work against bullying?), a consortium of five universities that researches the effects of ten promising anti-bullying programmes. Orobio de Castro has acquired many grants over the years. For instance, he received the ZonMW Parel for his research on parent groups in deprived neighbourhoods, structural financing to support children of ex-convict mothers and both Veni and Vidi grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) for his research into using virtual reality to better understand and treat aggressive behavioural problems in young people.