Victoria Carr

Victoria Carr is a Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Cincinnati and Executive Director of the Arlitt Center for Education, Research, and Sustainability, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025. She co-edits Children, Youth and Environments journal and participates in the Transnational Dialogues on Early Childhood Education for Sustainability.

Education:

• EdD, University of Cincinnati (2001)
• MEd, Nova University (1987)
• BS, University of Kentucky (1980)

Her research explores nature-based early learning, playscape design, and sustainability education. She examines how designed natural environments promote executive function, scientific inquiry, and environmental stewardship in young children.

Carr has secured over $27M in grants, including NSF funding for playscape research. She consulted on nature playscapes at Cincinnati Nature Center, Papua New Guinea schools, and Head Start centers, blending landscape design with pedagogical innovation.

Publications analyze playscapes as contexts for agency development, teacher perceptions of outdoor inquiry, and cross-cultural play rights. Recent work examines neuro-wearables as 'data pharmacies' in digital wellness contexts.

Grants:

• NSF STEM in the Playscape ($1.6M)
• Multiple PNC Foundation grants
• USDA Child and Adult Food Program