Maria Fitzpatrick is Professor in Cornell University's Department of Policy Analysis and Management and Director of the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. A Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, she holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia (2008) and specializes in child/family policy and education economics. Research examines early childhood education impacts, teacher compensation and retirement systems, child maltreatment reporting, and incarceration effects on families. Notable studies analyze universal pre-kindergarten programs, teacher pension reforms, and maternal incarceration's impact on birth outcomes. Current projects investigate child welfare decision-making algorithms and prison visitation policies. Fellowships include the Henry Luce Foundation/ACLS Early Career Fellowship and postdoctoral positions at Stanford's Institute for Economic Policy Research. She has advised government agencies including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Queensland Rail.
Klaus Hurrelmann is a Senior Professor of Public Health and Education at the Hertie School. Previously, he served as the founding dean of the first Faculty of Health Sciences in Germany at Bielefeld University and directed the SFB 227 research center for twelve years. His research emphasizes health and education policy, prevention strategies in childhood and adolescence, and the governance of healthcare systems. He has coordinated major studies such as the HBSC for the WHO and leads ongoing national studies on family and youth development. He studied at the University of Münster and the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a doctorate focusing on educational systems and society. His work spans multidisciplinary collaborations, including leadership roles in longitudinal studies like the COPSY project analyzing youth mental health during the pandemic. Research interests include health literacy, systemic crisis response in education, and the interplay between societal trends and youth development. His recent publications highlight generational shifts in responsibility, pandemic impacts on mental health, and policy reforms in healthcare governance. He advises government agencies on youth policy and health system reforms, leveraging his expertise in evidence-based strategies. His current focus includes digital health literacy and the role of schools in addressing societal polarization.
Dr. Ben Clarke is an Associate Professor and Department Head of Special Education and Clinical Sciences at the University of Oregon’s College of Education. His research focuses on mathematical development, assessment systems, and school-based interventions to support student achievement. He has led over 20 federally funded grants totaling ~$55 million, emphasizing early numeracy interventions and multi-tiered instructional models. Clarke’s work bridges theory and practice, with publications on mathematics instruction, assessment, and RTI frameworks. Education: PhD (2002), MA (2001) in School Psychology/Special Education from University of Oregon; BS (1997) in Psychology from Wabash College (Phi Beta Kappa). Research Interests: Mathematics intervention design and efficacy Early numeracy assessment Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) Technology in education Equity in mathematics education Publications highlight his focus on intervention fidelity, tiered models, and outcomes for students with learning difficulties. Awards include the AERA Special Education SIG Research Award and recognition for academic excellence. Grants and Advising: Principal Investigator on ~$55M in federal grants; advises graduate students in School Psychology and Special Education. His lab develops evidence-based tools like the KinderTEK iPad program and contributes to national practice guides (e.g., IES RTI for Mathematics). Labs/Teams: Leads research teams focused on early mathematics intervention and MTSS implementation, collaborating with schools and policymakers to scale effective practices.
Yuuko Uchikoshi Tonkovich is a Professor at the School of Education, University of California, Davis, where she has served since 2004, advancing from Assistant to Associate and then to full Professor. Her work centers on language and literacy development in young dual language learners, with a focus on bilingualism, early literacy, and the role of family and media in language acquisition. Her research interests include: Early Childhood Development Multilingual Learners and Bilingual Education Language Acquisition and Literacy Parent-Child Interaction and Home Language Environment Quantitative Analysis of Educational Outcomes Educational Television and Multimedia Her recent publications span topics such as cognitive distancing in parent-child reading, morphological awareness in bilingual readers, and the impact of teacher language use in multilingual classrooms. The research consistently emphasizes longitudinal, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary approaches, particularly focusing on Chinese American and Mexican American immigrant families. Her scientific awards include: AERA Vocabulary SIG Notable Vocabulary Researcher Award (2025) Foundation for Child Development Young Scholars Program Grant International Reading Association Dissertation Fellowship and Finalist Award Harvard Graduate School of Education Fellowships She has advised numerous research projects and secured significant funding from NIH/NICHD, the Foundation for Child Development, and other organizations. She teaches courses such as Language Development, Early Literacy, and Research on Text Comprehension. She is actively involved in national initiatives, serving on the Technical Advisory Group for the First 5 California Dual Language Learner Study and as Associate Editor of Applied Psycholinguistics . She leads the Language & Literacy Development Lab at UC Davis, which investigates the cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development of dual language learners.
Claudia Diehl is a Professor of Microsociology at the University of Konstanz, Germany, and co-speaker of the Cluster of Excellence The Politics of Inequality . She is actively involved in research on migration, integration, ethnic discrimination, and educational inequality. Her recent work includes leading the PerFair project on students' perceptions of fairness in schools. She has held visiting positions at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and the Munk School in Toronto. PhD in Sociology, University of Mannheim (2001) Former Professor, University of Göttingen Former Researcher, Federal Institute for Population Research Her research focuses on social and ethnic inequalities , particularly in education and labor markets. She investigates how immigrants and ethnic minorities experience discrimination, integration, and social mobility in Germany and Europe. Her interdisciplinary work combines sociological theory with empirical data from large-scale surveys and policy-relevant studies. The analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on migration, integration, and inequality . Her work spans topics such as wage fairness, educational tracking, labor market participation, and perceived discrimination. There is a strong emphasis on comparative and longitudinal analysis , often using German and European datasets. Her publications appear in high-impact journals in sociology, migration studies, and social policy. Member, Advisory Board for Family Affairs Appointed to The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in Germany Claudia Diehl leads major research initiatives and collaborates with national and international scholars. She has contributed to policy discussions on integration, family, and education. While no direct mention of grants or advising is made, her leadership in large projects suggests active grant management and mentorship roles. She has published extensively, including special issues, edited volumes, and numerous journal articles.
Nichole Denise Pinkard is the Alice Hamilton Professor of Learning Sciences and Faculty Director of the Office of Community Education Partnerships at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy. She founded the Digital Youth Network (DYN) and developed L3, a social learning platform connecting youth's learning across multiple environments. Education: PhD, Learning Sciences, Northwestern University, 1998 MS, Computer Science, Northwestern University BS, Computer Science, Stanford University Research Focus: Designs socio-technical systems to support ecological models of learning, emphasizing community-level learning ecosystems and pedagogical-based social networks. Her work bridges technology and urban education contexts to reimagine learning documentation and opportunities. Awards: 2010 Common Sense Media Award 2004 Jan Hawkins Award 2000 NSF Early Career Fellowship Projects & Initiatives: Leads Chicago City of Learning and Digital Youth Divas programs, advancing digital equity and youth empowerment through technology. Collaborates with city agencies to create existence proofs for innovative urban learning models.
Dr. Kai Liu is a University Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge, and a Fellow at Selwyn College. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Johns Hopkins University in 2011. His research focuses on labor economics, public economics, applied microeconometrics, and China's economic development, with specific investigations into wage dynamics, human capital formation, and household decision-making under uncertainty. His research interests span: Labor market dynamics including wage risk, job mobility, and gender wage gaps Public policy analysis in education, healthcare, and family support systems Household behavior under economic uncertainty and policy reforms Human capital investments across the life cycle Economic development challenges in China Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong focus on education policy impacts, health insurance effects on agricultural investments, and family environment dynamics. His work consistently applies advanced microeconometric methods to evaluate policy interventions and economic behaviors. Dr. Liu currently supervises three PhD students: Shengjuan He, Qianya Xu (researching empirical microeconomics and labor economics), and Shania Mustika (researching labor economics, education economics, and racial relations). He has secured significant research funding including: British Academy grant for 'Capital Market Imperfections, Skill Accumulation, and Inequality' (2024-2026) ESRC grant for 'Demand and Welfare Analysis using Micro-data' (2022-2026) British Academy grant for family policy research (2019-2021)
Daniel Kreisman is an Associate Professor of Economics at Georgia State University and a faculty affiliate at the University of Milan. His research focuses on labor economics, education finance, and policy, particularly examining school funding, career and technical education (CTE), and student loan repayment systems. Kreisman founded the Career & Technical Education Policy Exchange (CTEx), a multi-state consortium under Georgia Policy Labs, which analyzes CTE policy impacts. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in History and Philosophy from Tulane University. Prior to academia, he taught high school English in New Orleans. His education includes a PhD from the University of Chicago (Public Policy) and a BA from Tulane University (History and Philosophy). Research Interests: Educational Finance and School Funding Mechanisms CTE Program Design and Equity Student Loan Repayment Behaviors Labor Market Signaling and Economic Outcomes Public Policy Evaluation CTEx collaborations include state partners in Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Atlanta, focusing on data-driven policy to enhance CTE programs. Advising & Grants: Kreisman’s work bridges academia and policy, with grants supporting research on CTE alignment, financial aid impacts, and loan repayment systems. His lab affiliations enable applied policy analysis. Labs/Teams: Director of CTEx and active member of Georgia Policy Labs, emphasizing evidence-based education policy.
Alis Oancea is Professor of Philosophy of Education and Research Policy at the University of Oxford's Department of Education, part of the Social Sciences Division. She holds additional roles including ESRC Centre for Global Higher Education Deputy Director and Social Sciences Division Advocate for Responsible Engagement. With dual doctoral degrees (DPhil from Oxford and PhD from Bucharest), she also received a Doctor Honoris Causa from University of the West Timisoara. Her research focuses on meta-research, research policy, and higher education governance. Key areas include research assessment frameworks, impact measurement, ethics, open knowledge practices, and teacher education. She co-edited the 2024 Handbook of Meta-Research and leads international studies on research cultures and policies. Education: DPhil (Oxford), PhD (Buc), DipLATHE (Oxford), Dhc (UWT) Roles: Director of Research (2016-20), REF2021 Coordinator, ESRC CGHE Deputy Director Leadership: Over 30 funded projects including the RKEEI initiative and BERA Observatory Her 150+ publications span research policy, impact evaluation, and education systems. Awards include FAcSS Fellowship and numerous international advisory roles across Europe and Norway. Advises on global education reforms and chairs panels for EU, UK, and Nordic research councils. Current doctoral supervision focuses on research policy, higher education systems, and teacher education innovations. Active in editorial roles for Oxford Review of Education and Review of Education .
Laura E. Brumariu is a Professor and Associate Dean for Professional Programs and Student Advancement at the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University. She holds a Ph.D. from Kent State University and completed postdoctoral research fellowships at Harvard Medical School. Her office is located in the Hy Weinberg Center, and she is licensed as a psychologist in New York State. Education: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School/CHA/MGA (2013) Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Clinical Attributions, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School (2012) Ph.D., Kent State University (2010) Her research adopts a developmental psychopathology perspective, focusing on how parent-child attachment influences emotional and social development, particularly in middle childhood. She investigates emotion regulation, anxiety, disorganized attachment, role-confusion, and family processes related to borderline personality features and dissociation. She developed the Middle Childhood Attachment Strategies Coding System and leads the Child and Adolescent Research (CARE) Lab. Her recent work emphasizes meta-analytic reviews on emotion socialization, attachment, anxiety, and empathy. Her most recent publications reflect trends in attachment theory, emotion regulation, parenting, and internalizing disorders across development, often using meta-analytic and longitudinal methods. Much of her work integrates international collaboration, especially with Romanian researchers. Scientific Awards and Honors: Clinical Research Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Research Fellow (2010–2012) The Jeanette and Louis Reuter Fellowship in Developmental Sciences, Kent State University (2008–2009) She has mentored numerous doctoral students whose research spans topics such as gratitude, empathy, emotion socialization, and trauma. She teaches courses in psychological research, family therapy, and doctoral thesis supervision. She has secured research funding and collaborates extensively on studies related to child and adolescent mental health, though specific grants are not detailed in the text. Her professional activities include frequent presentations at major psychological conferences such as the Association for Psychological Science and the International Attachment Conference. Labs and Research Teams: She directs the Child and Adolescent Research (CARE) Lab at Adelphi University, which focuses on attachment, emotion regulation, and psychopathology in children and adolescents. The lab conducts both observational and survey-based research and trains graduate students in developmental and clinical methods.
Pamela A. Morris-Perez is a Professor of Applied Psychology at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and an Affiliated Professor at the NYU School of Global Public Health. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Education. Her research bridges developmental psychology, suicidology, education, and policy, with over $75M in research funding. She holds a BA from Columbia University and a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Cornell University. Her research focuses on early childhood interventions, adolescent suicide prevention (through ARCADIA), and policy impacts. Notable projects include a $5M IES-funded NYC Universal Pre-K initiative and a $10M NIH trial on parenting interventions. She has also led institutional roles as Vice Dean/Interim Dean of NYU Steinhardt, overseeing significant research growth and diversity initiatives. Research Themes: Suicidology, early childhood development, policy evaluation, pediatric health interventions. Key Projects: ARCADIA suicide prevention, NYC Pre-K expansion, pediatric primary care interventions. Her articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to child development and policy, with recent work emphasizing adolescent mental health and pandemic impacts on early childhood programs. Awards include the National Academy of Education membership and a 2017 Best Paper Award. Leadership Achievements: 44% increase in research expenditures, tripling of faculty of color hires, pandemic response coordination. Grants & Funding: William T. Grant Foundation, NIMH, NIH, IES. Morris-Perez collaborates across academia and public agencies to translate research into scalable interventions, particularly in under-resourced communities.
Janine Ferguson serves as a Part-Time Lecturer and Academic Program Support Officer at Charles Sturt University's School of Education (Dubbo campus), with over ten years of teaching experience in the Faculty of Arts & Education focusing on Child Development and Early Childhood Education, complemented by a decade in NSW regional public schools that ignited her dedication to rural education. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), which anchors her expertise in early learning frameworks and developmental psychology within regional contexts. Her research and teaching interests prioritize Early Childhood Education, Child Development, and Rural Education, emphasizing pedagogical adaptations for small-community schooling environments and teacher preparation pathways in underserved areas. Current initiatives include supporting the Collaborative Teacher’s Aide Pathway and Grow Your Own Teacher Training programs, expanding access to educator qualifications in regional Australia. Scientific awards: No awards documented in source materials. Student advising and research grants: Source text specifies no graduate advisees, funded projects, or grant acquisitions.
Guanglei Hong is a Professor at the University of Chicago, holding tenure in the Comparative Human Development Department and the Committee on Education. She chairs the University-wide Committee on Quantitative Methods in Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences and the Committee on Education. Her research focuses on causal inference methodologies for evaluating educational and social policies, particularly mediation and moderation effects in multi-level longitudinal studies. She developed the RMPW and MMWS methods, widely used in causal mediation analysis. Hong holds a Master’s in Applied Statistics and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Michigan. Education: Ph.D. in Education, University of Michigan, 2004 Master's in Applied Statistics, University of Michigan, 2002 Research Interests: Hong’s work centers on causal moderation and mediation, spillover effects, and sensitivity analysis in policy evaluation. She applies these methods to assess impacts of educational programs, contextual changes, and socioeconomic factors on child/youth development. Her monograph *Causality in a Social World* (2015) is a foundational text in the field. Awards: John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (2021–2022) William T. Grant Scholar Award (2009–2014) NAE/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship (2006–2007) AERA Mary Catherine Ellwein Dissertation Award (2005) Teaching & Training: Hong teaches advanced quantitative methods courses, including causal inference and mediation analysis. She leads the NSF-funded SIARM for STEM institute, training researchers in computational methods for education research. Notable courses include *Advanced Topics in Causal Inference* and *Mediation, Moderation, and Spillover Effects*. Grants & Leadership: Hong leads major grants from NSF, IES, and private foundations. Her current projects include methodological advancements for multisite trials and sensitivity analysis in mediation. She has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed articles and edited volumes, and serves on editorial boards of leading journals. Labs/Teams: Hong directs the Quantitative Methods Group at the University of Chicago, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in causal inference and policy evaluation. Her work integrates statistical innovation with real-world applications in education and health sciences.
Jonathan Santo is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where he serves as Director of the Graduate Developmental Psychology Program and as a faculty member in the Office of Latino/Latin-American Studies. His research explores peer relations, cultural differences in self-esteem, and classroom-level influences on child and adolescent development, with a focus on improving school environments and fostering positive social interactions. ORCA Faculty Fellow His research spans broad areas including Developmental Psychology , Social Support Systems , and Cross-Cultural Peer Dynamics , with specific attention to peer victimization , self-continuity , school climate , and developmental trajectories in Brazilian and Colombian youth . Recent publications analyze topics like hikikomori experiences , friendship security , and HPA axis dysregulation in adolescents. Scientific awards include the ORCA Faculty Fellow recognition. His work often involves longitudinal assessments of peer relationships cross-cultural comparisons (Brazil, Colombia, China, Nigeria, Singapore, U.S.) policy-focused blog posts on family separations and school interventions
Melissa Koenig serves as Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development (ICD), where her research examines social and testimonial learning mechanisms in children through investigations of trust, cultural learning, memory, language, and cognitive development. As a first-generation college student, she prioritizes supporting students navigating academic systems through collaborative mentorship. Education PhD (2002), University of Texas at Austin Her research program spans cognitive development, cross-cultural studies, early childhood, language acquisition, theory of mind, and social-emotional development across peer, parent, and romantic contexts. The lab employs interdisciplinary, multi-method approaches with explicit cultural analysis to advance developmental science, particularly examining how children evaluate information sources and integrate testimony into moral frameworks. Analysis of her 2021-2024 publications reveals dominant themes in epistemic trust development, including how children assess informant credibility through moral behavior, group affiliation, and cultural context. Key trajectories show increasing sophistication in distinguishing epistemic versus practical reasoning, cross-cultural variations in trust attribution, and the developmental emergence of resistance to power-based corruption like bribery. Advising & Mentorship Accepts new PhD students for Fall 2026 cohort Requires prospective students to contact prior to December 1 application deadline Public advising statement details mutual expectations and support structures Specializes in guiding students through academic navigation and hidden curriculum challenges She directs the Early Language and Experience Lab, which maintains a collaborative research environment focused on uncovering constraints and supports for children's social learning across diverse contexts, with particular attention to cultural and socioeconomic variables in developmental processes.
