Stephanie M. Jones serves as the Gerald S. Lesser Professor in Early Childhood Development and Faculty Co-Chair of the Early Childhood Concentration at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. With a Ph.D. from Yale University (2002), she leads the EASEL Lab which develops evidence-based social-emotional learning interventions. Her research focuses on poverty and violence effects on children's development, with emphasis on creating practical applications for educational settings. Her research interests center on social-emotional learning, early childhood development, and educational equity. Jones has developed frameworks for inclusive mindsets, universal dignity, empathy, and courageous action that bridge developmental science with classroom practice. Her work emphasizes translating rigorous research into accessible content for practitioners and policymakers, with special attention to aligning preK-3 curricula and instructional practices. Her publications reveal consistent focus on practical applications of social-emotional learning across diverse contexts, from early childhood to adolescence. Recent work examines cultural adaptation of SEL frameworks globally, with specific projects implementing play-based SEL kernels in Ukraine through collaboration with the LEGO Foundation. Her research demonstrates strong commitment to creating practical tools that educators can implement immediately. Grawemeyer Award in Education for A Vision for Universal Preschool Education (2006) Joseph E. Zins Early-Career Distinguished Contribution Award for Action Research in Social and Emotional Learning Professor Jones currently directs multiple major research initiatives including the Inclusive Mindsets and Behaviors project with Special Olympics (2024-2025), Play-Based SEL Kernels in Ukraine with the LEGO Foundation (2023-2026), and Kernels of Practice for Social Emotional Learning in Afterschool Settings with The Wallace Foundation (2023-2026). She serves on national advisory boards including Parents as Teachers and Engaging Schools, and consults with organizations like Sesame Street on program development and evaluation. Her EASEL Lab functions as a hub for translating developmental science into practical educational tools and interventions.







