What is DeLTA?

Delta is the mathematical symbol for change. The DeLTA (Development and Learning from Theory to Application) Center is an interdisciplinary research community at the University of Iowa dedicated to understanding the processes of learning and development and forming a bridge between basic science and the real world.  We are interested in change at all levels: from neurobiology to social interaction across humans, non-human animals, and computer models, and in both typical and atypically developing systems.   

What does DeLTA do?

DeLTA is first and foremost a scholarly center. We promote interactions between basic and applied researchers, help train, develop and support the next generation of collaborative scientists, and actively engage with community partners. DeLTA is a hub that helps break down walls and build bridges among departments, scientists and studies.  Check out our activities and programs for more detail.

 

Development

Got an Idea?

Got an idea for an event? We've got resources, connections and an engaged audience! Email us today!

Logo for the DeLTA Center

When are DeLTA Events?

Roundtable discussions are roughly twice a month on Friday mornings from 9:00AM to 10:30AM.  
Donuts and coffee are always provided at DeLTA Roundtables.

External speakers present a traditional colloquium on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 followed by a roundtable on Friday morning.

Mark your calendar now!

DeLTA Center Event Calendar

 

How do I join?

Joining is easy--it costs nothing except your own intellectual engagement.

Just email delta-center@uiowa.edu to join our mailing list and start coming to events!

Events

DeLTA Center Bold Assertion Night promotional image

DeLTA Center Bold Assertion Night

Thursday, February 26, 2026 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Psychological and Brain Sciences Building

DeLTA members challenge each other to think new, think differently and think big. This happens at our roundtables and regular meetings. But the heart of this challenge is Bold Assertion Night.

DeLTA members gather over snacks and drinks to think together about challenging problem. One or two people make a bold assertion and defend it. Then comes the discussion. No slides, no movies, and no holds barred.

Location subject to change. Theme of the Bold Assertion to be announced.

DeLTA Center Roundtable Discussion: Mark Berg promotional image

DeLTA Center Roundtable Discussion: Mark Berg

Friday, February 27, 2026 9:00am to 10:30am
University Capitol Centre

The DeLTA Center Roundtable Discussion is an event in which DeLTA expands the interdisciplinary research community by promoting reciprocal interactions between basic and applied researchers. These events showcase presenters from a wide variety of academic disciplines and an open discussion about implications of the presenter's ideas across fields of study and research.

Dr. Mark Berg is Professor and Collegiate Scholar in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, and is the Director of the...

DeLTA Center Colloquium: Casey Lew-Williams promotional image

DeLTA Center Colloquium: Casey Lew-Williams

Thursday, March 12, 2026 3:30pm to 5:00pm
University Capitol Centre

Dr. Lew-Williams is a Professor and the Department Chair of the Department of Psychology at Princeton University

Interests: How do young children learn from the dynamics of their communicative environments? From the beginning of life, infants spend a lot of time interacting with their caregivers, and their experiences across milliseconds and years add up to something big: active and rewarding participation in their own local community. Scientists can barely figure out how this complicated story...

DeLTA Center Roundtable Discussion: Casey Lew-Williams promotional image

DeLTA Center Roundtable Discussion: Casey Lew-Williams

Friday, March 13, 2026 9:00am to 10:30am
University Capitol Centre

The DeLTA Center Roundtable Discussion is an event in which DeLTA expands the interdisciplinary research community by promoting reciprocal interactions between basic and applied researchers. These events showcase presenters from a wide variety of academic disciplines and an open discussion about implications of the presenter's ideas across fields of study and research.

Dr. Lew-Williams is a Professor and the Department Chair of the Department of Psychology at Princeton University

Interests: How do...

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News and announcements

2025 Interdisciplinary Grants

Friday, August 8, 2025

New Lab in Cedar Rapids!

Monday, July 8, 2024