Jennifer Astuto

Jennifer Astuto is a Clinical Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at New York University's Steinhardt School. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from CUNY Graduate Center, M.A. in Mental Health & Counseling from NYU Steinhardt, and B.A. from NYU College of Arts and Science.

Her research examines how civic engagement, school readiness, and learning develop in children from ethnically diverse and immigrant communities, emphasizing the role of play. She employs mixed methods including RCTs and ethnography. Current Spencer Foundation-funded work develops civic engagement measures for young children through her PlayLabNYU initiative.