The Attachment Lab

The American University in Cairo

Exploring bonds. Understanding connections.

The first lab of its kind in Egypt and the Arab World — studying the bonds between children and parents, and how attachment carries across generations.

Take part in a studyOur research
A guest speaker at one of the lab's Attachment Conversations
  • 2024Lab founded at AUC by Dr Nour Zaki
  • 1stStrange Situation study published in the Arab world
  • 60mother–child pairs took part in that first study
  • 25+guest speakers at Attachment Conversations

What we study

Attachment across the lifespan, in our own cultural context.

Through innovative methods, our developmental research uncovers how the earliest bonds shape emotional development and relationships — from infancy to adulthood.

  • 01

    Child–parent attachment

    How early interactions between children and caregivers shape emotional development.

  • 02

    Across generations

    The intergenerational transmission of attachment patterns.

  • 03

    Becoming a parent

    The developmental pathway of parenting, from pregnancy onwards.

  • 04

    Faith, meaning & grief

    Attachment to God, meaning-making and the experience of loss.

In December 2024 we published the first Strange Situation study in the Arab world.

Previous & upcoming studies

Now recruiting

Twins Study

We’re inviting Egyptian mothers of fraternal or identical twins aged 12 to 24 months to visit the lab with their children.

  1. Fill in the interest formTell us a little about you and your twins.
  2. We’ll give you a callA team member arranges a time that suits you.
  3. Come to campusFree parking is reserved at the Omar Mohsen gate.
  4. Your visitAbout an hour, with a thank-you gift at the end.
Register your interestRead the FAQs
Dr Nour Zaki on the AUC campus

Founder & Director

Dr Nour Zaki

Assistant Professor of Psychology at The American University in Cairo, with an MA in Counseling Psychology from AUC and a PhD from UCAM University, Spain.

Her research follows the developmental pathway of parenthood — the transition to motherhood, attachment relationships, maternal mental health and perinatal psychology.

  • IPARTheory Regional Representative, North Africa & Middle East
  • Circle of Security Parenting facilitator
  • Bringing Baby Home facilitator
  1. 2026Can Machines Hold Us? Attachment, Connection, and Illusion in the Age of AIRobotics Summit, AUC
  2. 2026Where Universality Meets Context: Exploring Attachment Pathways in EgyptAttachment Crossroads, NYU Abu Dhabi
  3. 2025Developmental Pathway to Parenthood: Today a Parent… Not Long Ago a ChildATTACh Annual Conference, Nashville

Research team

The people behind the research.

Meet the team
  • Maya ShehataMaya ShehataGraduate student
  • Merihan EissaMerihan EissaMA holder
  • Mahi ElhelowMahi ElhelowBA holder
  • Lydia WassefLydia WassefGraduate student
  • Nour DabbourNour DabbourGraduating senior
  • Miriam HannaMiriam HannaBA holder
  • Layla NassarLayla NassarGraduate student
  • Marina HanyMarina HanySenior
  • Yasmin HamoudYasmin HamoudGraduating senior
  • Mohamed BreshaMohamed BreshaGraduate student
  • Nada El SayedNada El SayedBA holder
  • Nour El SaeedNour El SaeedJunior
  • Remaz BahaaRemaz BahaaMA holder
  • Laura KippLaura KippPhD student, Université Paris Cité

Publications & features

Research and recognition.

From peer-reviewed research to features in the press, inside and outside of AUC.

AUC TV · WatchAttachment Research Lab Releases Pioneer Findings

Workshops & talks

Making attachment research accessible.

All workshops
Series

Attachment Conversations

Talks, workshops and lectures by professionals in psychotherapy and attachment.

  • 14 SepMahmoud Zaki · Attachment and food
  • 21 SepDr Yasmine Saleh · The therapist’s attachment story
  • 5 OctLydia Wassef · Masculinity, anger and attachment

Select Mondays · 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Register your interest
Research assistants at Team Insights
Series

Team Insights

Research assistants present their own work, such as “Roots of Security: Understanding Attachment in the Family Context.”

Upcoming dates
The audience at “Attachment Beginnings” with Merette Khalil
Recording · 30 Sep 2024

Attachment Beginnings: Exploring Birth and Bonding

Dr Nour Zaki & Merette Khalil

Watch the recording

Being part of the Attachment Lab is truly a one-of-a-kind experience! The lab provides a prime environment for both professional and personal growth.

Maya ShehataGraduate Research Assistant

Contact

Get in touch with the lab.

Questions about our studies, events or joining the team? We’d be glad to hear from you.

Location
The American University in Cairo, New Cairo