It is known that the left hemisphere of the brain is more active during language tasks in the large majority of individuals, but the causes and consequences of this lateralisation are still unknown. We are also interested in understanding what drives atypical lateralisation (right or bilateral), and whether this has any impact on language ability or lateralisation of other brain functions, such as visuospatial processing. The majority of our research uses functional transcranial Doppler sonography (fTCD, or ‘Doppler’ for short). This non-invasive technique uses ultrasound waves to detect the speed of blood flow to the left and right sides of the brain. It is relatively cheap, portable and suitable for use in adults and children. Some COLA members also use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) or behavioural techniques to investigate lateralisation. COLA members share a commitment to open science practises, and we welcome requests to join the consortium or to use our open datasets or stimuli. **NEWS** ***June 2018:*** Inaugural meeting of COLA, University of Oxford COLA was born at a workshop on the use of functional transcranial Doppler sonography (fTCD) to investigate language lateralisation held at the University of Oxford in June 2018. The meeting was attended by researchers from University College London (Professor Mairead Macsweeney, Dr Eva Gutierrez-Sigut and Dr Heather Payne), Bangor University (Ms Emma Karlsson), University of Lincoln (Dr Jessica Hodgson), Radboud University (Dr Margriet Groen) and University of Oxford (Professor Dorothy Bishop, Dr Zoe Woodhead, Dr Paul Thompson and Ms Abigail Bradshaw). The workshop focussed on the present state of language laterality research using fTCD, and ideas for how to progress the field in future. It was decided that a collaborative approach towards shared goals, using open science practises, would have the best chance of success.