Elizabeth Burke Hadley

Dr. Elizabeth Burke Hadley serves as Associate Professor of Literacy Studies within the University of South Florida's College of Education, where her research investigates language and literacy development in pre-kindergarten classrooms through teacher-child interactions during conversations, shared book-reading, and play-based activities.

Her research program emphasizes:

• Vocabulary interventions and assessment methodologies in pre-k settings
• Impact analysis of state-funded pre-k programs on language outcomes
• Technology-enhanced measurement of classroom language environments
• Teacher practices that bridge oral language development to later reading comprehension

Recent publications reveal consistent focus on pandemic-related educational disruptions, multimodal teaching strategies, and equity-oriented literacy approaches, with growing attention to digital tools for language analysis and culturally responsive instruction in diverse early childhood contexts.

Her scholarly recognition includes:

• Early Career Award from AERA's Early Education/Child Development Special Interest Group
• USF Faculty Outstanding Research Award

Dr. Hadley directs externally funded research initiatives supported by the National Science Foundation, Spencer Foundation, and American Educational Research Association, maintaining active community partnerships with local school districts to implement evidence-based practices. Her work exemplifies community-engaged scholarship through continuous collaboration with educational organizations to address real-world literacy challenges in underserved populations.

Current projects integrate technology to capture authentic classroom discourse while developing interventions that strengthen teacher capacity to foster language growth through purposeful, playful learning experiences.