معرفی
Walter S. Gilliam is the Executive Director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and the Richard D. Holland Presidential Chair in Early Childhood Development at the University of Nebraska. He holds a tenured professorship at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and serves as a Professor Adjunct at Yale’s Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine. His research focuses on early childhood education policy, quality improvement in prekindergarten and childcare systems, preschool expulsion dynamics, and pandemic-related challenges in early childhood settings.
Education:
- PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky (1996)
- Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology, Yale School of Medicine (1997–1999)
Research Interests: Gilliam’s work examines how policies translate into effective early childhood services, strategies to enhance early education quality, and the impact of programs on school readiness. He has led studies on preschool expulsion rates and the efficacy of mental health consultation in childcare systems. During the pandemic, his team (Yale CARES) investigated transmission mitigation, vaccination, and mental health support in childcare programs.
Publications: His recent work includes analyses of preschool expulsion epidemics, racial discrimination experiences among early educators during COVID-19, and masking’s role in preventing childcare closures. These studies highlight intersections of policy, equity, and public health.
Awards: Recipient of the 2008 Grawemeyer Award in Education and the First for Kids Award. His scholarship has been featured in major media outlets like the New York Times and CNN.
Leadership & Affiliations: Vice President of ZERO TO THREE, board member of All Our Kin and First Children’s Finance, and advisor to national and international organizations. He chairs the Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy, bridging research and policy.
