Honoring 'the Mother' of the Disability Rights Movement
Northwestern University's Jen Cowhy, a doctoral student in the Human Development and Social Policy program at the School of Education and Social Policy, helped coauthor a joint statement recognizing the work and legacy of Judy Heumann for the American Educational Research Association.
Doctoral Student Wins DevSci Fellowship
Matías Martinez, a doctoral student in the Human Development and Social Policy program, received the DevSci Graduate Student Fellowship to further his research looking at how schools can prevent bullying and helping kids cope with peer victimization.
Mesmin Destin: Messages That Can Change a Child’s Life
Whether the timing is intentional or serendipitous, hearing certain messages at critical moments can offer hope and keep people inspired to work towards their goals, Northwestern University’s Mesmin Destin said during a TEDxChicago talk at the Harris Theater.
OpEd: The Pitfalls of School Metrics
One size-fits-all metrics don’t fairly measure what matters most in many schools – a student’s mental health, Northwestern University sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa argues in a recent opinion piece in the Washington Post.
Schwandt Promoted to Associate Professor
Hannes Schwandt, an economist who studies the relationships between health, wealth, and overall well-being, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at the School of Education and Social Policy.
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale: ‘A Builder, Connector, Mentor’
Northwestern University’s Lindsay Chase-Lansdale has profoundly shaped the field of developmental psychology and the people working in it, a panel of top scholars said during a recent celebration of her scholarship at Annenberg Hall.
Sabol Promoted to Associate Professor
Psychologist Terri Sabol, who examines how classrooms, families and neighborhoods impact a child’s early development, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Muskin, Stein Win Honorable Mention in Essay Contest
Graduate students Melanie Muskin and Andrew Stein received honorable mention in the Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues essay contest, which challenged writers to address the legacy of white supremacy and Western dominance in psychology.
What Happens When More Four-Year-Olds Attend Preschool?
Northwestern University researchers, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, the Office of the Mayor of Chicago, and the Chicago Department of Family Support and Services, are studying how the recent expansion of universal prekindergarten in Chicago will impact students from lower income backgrounds.
Lifelong Learners Earn Doctorates
Eight Northwestern University graduate students recently reached the pinnacle of education, earning doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
Bonilla Promoted to Associate Professor
Northwestern University’s Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist who studies how communication influences public support for policies, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at the School of Education and Social Policy.
Spillane Honored for Mentoring Young Scholars
James Spillane received the 2022 Spencer Foundation Mentor Award for his generous, wise, and decades-long support of the next generation of scholars.
Faculty Contribute to New IES Report on Future of Ed Research
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) should change its structures and policies to better meet changing priorities in education – including improving equity and the usefulness of research, according to a new report whose authors include several Northwestern University faculty members.
Why You Should Savor Fleeting Moments of Joy
Hold back on the bickering. New research co-authored by Northwestern University's Claudia Haase, suggests that couples who share sweet moments filled with humor and affection, and sync up biologically — two hearts beating as one — enjoy better health prospects and live longer than their more quarrelsome counterparts.
Pioneering Psychologist Dan P. McAdams Named Interim SESP Dean
Dan P. McAdams, one of the nation's foremost researchers in the field of narrative psychology, has been named interim dean of Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.
Making an Impact: Faculty Research Named Year's Best
Two papers coauthored by researchers at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) were named to the Edutopia’s “10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2021.”
Emma Adam Named Associate Vice President for Research
Emma Adam, the Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Human Development and Social Policy in the School of Education and Social Policy has been named associate vice president for research at Northwestern University.
Teens’ COVID-19 Stress Levels Tied to Parents’ Education
Family education levels predicted how much stress teenagers felt during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study by researchers at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Graduate Students Win Spencer Dissertation Fellowships
Graduate students Nikki McDaid and Sebastián Kiguel have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.
Addressing America's Death Problem
Americans have shorter lives than similarly situated Europeans, even in the richest areas, according to new Northwestern University research coauthored by School of Education and Social Policy professor Hannes Schwandt. At the same time, longevity of Black Americans has been catching up, and the life expectancy gap between Black and white Americans fell by 48.9%.
Addressing America's Death Problem
Americans have shorter lives than similarly situated Europeans, even in the richest areas, according to new Northwestern University research coauthored by School of Education and Social Policy professor Hannes Schwandt. At the same time, longevity of Black Americans has been catching up, and the life expectancy gap between Black and white Americans fell by 48.9%.
Meet SESP's Newest PhD's
Sixteen Northwestern University graduate students earned doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
New Research: Illinois Fared Well Amid COVID-19 Chaos
Illinois is a national model for how to equitably allocate resources during trying times, according to a new report by Northwestern University researchers assessing the response to COVID-19 for child care programs in Illinois.
SESP Launches New Research-Practice Partnership with $5.8-Million Grant
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) received a $5.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support an innovative partnership that links University researchers and Curriculum Associates, a leading provider of digital assessment and instructional materials, with several school districts.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Destin Lab
Northwestern University social psychologist Mesmin Destin, a recent Guggenheim Fellow selection, explores how the presumed “disadvantages” related to students’ backgrounds can carry unrecognized strengths, Kirsten Weir wrote in “Finding Strength in Hardship.”
Qu Receives Early Career Award
Northwestern University developmental psychologist Yang Qu has received an Early Career Award from the Society for Research in Child Development’s Asian Caucus for his work studying the experiences of teenagers in the United States and China.
Bonilla Develops New Class With Equity and Diversity Grant
Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy professor Tabitha Bonilla has developed a new undergraduate class that explores how looking at identities as 'intersectional' shifts our understanding of policy.
Sheridan Fuller Named Presidential Fellow
Sheridan Fuller, a graduate student in the Human Development and Social Policy program at the School of Education and Social Policy, has received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University for his work investigating the benefits and pitfalls of the social safety net, which is designed to protect Americans from poverty and hardship.
Coburn Honored With Excellence in Teaching Award
Cynthia Coburn has been awarded the Charles Deering McCormick University Professorship of Teaching Excellence Award for her innovative classroom instruction, the compassion and care she has shown undergraduates, and her pioneering contributions to the field of education research.
Brayboy Challenges SESP to Reimagine Education for Indigenous Students
Scholars have an important opportunity and responsibility to help transform schools into a system that supports Indigenous students, Arizona State University (ASU) professor Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) said during the latest installment of the School of Education and Social Policy Equity Book Club.
Sheridan Fuller Named Presidential Fellow
Sheridan Fuller, a graduate student in the Human Development and Social Policy program at the School of Education and Social Policy, has received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University for his work investigating the benefits and pitfalls of the social safety net, which is designed to protect Americans from poverty and hardship.
New Research: Why We Should Listen to Preschoolers
Early childhood policies could be vastly improved by listening to the unexpectedly wise voices of those who stand to benefit: children as young as four years old, according to new Northwestern University research published in Translational Issues in Psychological Science.
Marginalized Students’ Backgrounds a Strength, Researchers Say
Rather than “fixing” students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, colleges and universities should view their experiences as assets and a source of strength, according to two new publications by SESP researchers.
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Destin Lab
Northwestern University social psychologist Mesmin Destin, a recent Guggenheim Fellow selection, explores how the presumed “disadvantages” related to students’ backgrounds can carry unrecognized strengths, Kirsten Weir wrote in “Finding Strength in Hardship.”
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
Marginalized Students’ Backgrounds a Strength, Researchers Say
Rather than “fixing” students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, colleges and universities should view their experiences as assets and a source of strength, according to two new publications by SESP researchers.
SESP in the Media: December 2020
An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the news media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.
From East Germany to Evanston: Haase Promoted to Associate Professor
Claudia Haase, a developmental psychologist who studies pathways to happy and healthy development across the life span, was promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy in the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2020.
Six Scholars Join the Human Development and Social Policy Doctoral Program
Community and a “strong sense of mutuality” are what make the human development and social policy doctoral program so special, School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio told incoming students during Wildcat Welcome 2020.
Loneliness and Uncertainty Major Stressors for College Students
Stress from COVID-19 — along with stress related to health care, the economy, racism and the presidential election — is seriously threatening the mental health of our country, particularly our youngest generation, according to a new national survey from the American Psychological Association (APA).
Six Scholars Join the Human Development and Social Policy Doctoral Program
Community and a “strong sense of mutuality” are what make the human development and social policy doctoral program so special, School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio told incoming students during Wildcat Welcome 2020.
Faculty Member Wins National Science Foundation Award
Yang Qu received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation to further his multidisciplinary work on teen stereotypes and adolescent development.
Rising Scholars Receive NAEd/Spencer Fellowships and Awards
Five early career researchers – including doctoral students Julissa Muñiz and Cora Wigger – were among the winners of the prestigious 2020 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral and Dissertation Fellowships Awards.
Why Pregnant Women Can Be 'Cautiously Optimistic'
Pregnant women and their children should fare much better during the COVID-19 pandemic than their counterparts who experienced the 1918 Spanish Influenza, a Northwestern University report suggests.
SESP Psychologist Named ‘Rising Star’
Northwestern University developmental psychologist Yang Qu was named a 2020 Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Sciences for his interdisciplinary work examining the role of sociocultural contexts in adolescent development.
Kirabo Jackson: Invest in Education Early and Often
Educational investments are most cost-effective when they start early and are sustained throughout childhood, Northwestern University’s Kirabo Jackson said during the Education Policy Institute’s (EPI) Annual Lecture in London’s City Hall.
Emma Adam Named APS Fellow
Emma Adam, Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education and Social Policy, was named a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science for her outstanding contributions to the field of developmental psychobiology of stress and sleep.
Coburn, Jackson Elected to National Academy of Education
Cynthia Coburn and economist Kirabo Jackson were among fifteen exceptional scholars elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education research. Northwestern was the only institution to have two inductees this year
The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning
In his latest book, The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning, Dan McAdams asserts that Donald Trump may be the rare person who lacks any inner story, something most people develop to give their lives unity, meaning, and purpose.
Sabol Offers Advice for Caregivers During COVID-19
Making a daily schedule can help both parents and children adjust to learning at home during the coronavirus pandemic, said School of Education and Social Policy assistant professor Terri Sabol, an expert in early childhood development.
What Happens When You Start Work During a Recession?
Recent graduates who are unlucky enough to join the workforce during a recession will likely see a loss in income and negative health effects over their lifetime, Northwestern University economist Hannes Schwandt told political analyst Amy Walter, host of The Takeaway, Fridays.
Tabitha Bonilla Joins SESP Faculty
Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist who studies how messaging influences voters’ responses to political issues and candidates, has joined Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as assistant professor of human development and social policy.
SESP Faculty Members Join IPR
Tabitha Bonilla and Sally Nuamah have been named faculty fellows at Northwestern University’s Institute for Policy Research, an interdisciplinary community of scholars.
Ispa-Landa Named Associate Professor
Northwestern University education sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa received tenure and was promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy in the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2019.
Sally Nuamah: The Education Disruptor
Education wasn’t a sure thing for Sally Nuamah. Raised by a single mother in a low-income Chicago neighborhood, Nuamah was the child of immigrants, black and female.
Evanston Middle Schoolers Visit Campus
When Northwestern University doctoral student Eric Brown was recruiting students at Evanston’s Nichols Middle School for his dissertation research, at least five or six asked whether he'd be interviewing them on campus.
Emissions-Cheating Vehicles Linked to Worse Health in Babies, Children Across U.S.
A new study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is the first to show that diesel cars implicated in the emissions-cheating scandal had population-level impacts on infant and child health.
Spillane Coaches Education Leaders in Asia
Professor James Spillane delivered a keynote speech on school leadership and led a related workshop during the recent Global Education Leadership Summit in Bangkok.
Rosenbaum Receives Career Award – But Far From Slowing Down
James Rosenbaum’s ability to cultivate talented researchers and his passion for tackling pressing social issues recently earned him the Elizabeth G. Cohen Distinguished Career in Applied Sociology of Education Award from the American Education Research Association.
SESP Heads to Toronto for AERA
SESP faculty, alumni, postdocs and graduate students will be presenting at the 2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting April 5 through April 9, the world’s largest gathering of education researchers.
The Cost of a Twin Brother
Women who shared their mother’s womb with a male twin are less likely to graduate from high school or college, have earned less by their early 30s, and have lower fertility and marriage rates when compared with twins who are both female, according to new Northwestern University research.
Doctoral Candidate Selected to Millennium Scholars Program
While working as an eighth-grade math teacher, Andrea Kinghorn Busby saw how her students’ lives outside school intersected with their classroom experiences.
Who Benefits From Looking at the Bright Side?
Searching for a silver lining during a stressful situation can help decrease anxiety, particularly for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, new Northwestern University research suggests.
Hang In There. As Couples Age, Humor Replaces Bickering
Honeymoon long over? Hang in there. A new UC Berkeley study, co-authored by Northwestern University's Claudia Haase, shows those prickly disagreements that can mark the early and middle years of marriage mellow with age as conflicts give way to humor and acceptance.
Five SESP Faculty Named to Edu-Scholar List
Five School of Education and Social Policy scholars were named to Education Week’s “Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings,” which recognize 200 of the most influential academics in education policy.
Mesmin Destin Wins Early Career Award
Northwestern University psychologist Mesmin Destin, whose research emphasizes the key role socioeconomic status plays in the study of human behavior, was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) for his stellar work in the early stages of his career.
Faculty Spotlight: Terri Sabol Rethinks Early Childhood Education
The promise of change guides Terri Sabol’s thinking—and rethinking—of early childhood education issues. She examines how classrooms, families, and neighborhoods each play a role in a child’s development.
Does a Teen's Bedtime Really Matter?
An earlier bedtime may help teenagers by improving executive functioning abilities like memory, self-control, and problem solving, according to preliminary Northwestern University research.
Diane Schanzenbach Elected to National Academy of Education
Economist Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), has been elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of her outstanding research contributions on education issues.
Can Female Principals Be Caring and Commanding?
White and black novice female principals adopt vastly different leadership styles at the beginning of their careers, according to new Northwestern University research that looks at how race and gender intersect for professional educators.
Economists and Psychologists Agree: Inequality Saps Opportunities and Motivation
Rising economic inequality makes people less likely to believe that upward mobility is possible, shaping both their motivation and behavior, according to a research review published in the journal Nature Human Behavior.
Education Lab Receives $15 Million Donation from AbbVie
AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois, announced a $55 million donation to three nonprofits working to address the achievement gap for children in high-poverty areas, including Chicago. Northwestern University economist Jonathan Guryan co-directs the University of Chicago’s Education Lab, which will receive $15 million.
Hang In There. As Couples Age, Humor Replaces Bickering
Honeymoon long over? Hang in there. A new UC Berkeley study, co-authored by Northwestern University's Claudia Haase, shows those prickly disagreements that can mark the early and middle years of marriage mellow with age as conflicts give way to humor and acceptance.
Who Benefits From Looking at the Bright Side?
Searching for a silver lining during a stressful situation can help decrease anxiety, particularly for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, new Northwestern University research suggests.
Mesmin Destin Wins Early Career Award
Northwestern University psychologist Mesmin Destin, whose research emphasizes the key role socioeconomic status plays in the study of human behavior, was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) for his stellar work in the early stages of his career.
Diane Schanzenbach Elected to National Academy of Education
Economist Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), has been elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of her outstanding research contributions on education issues.
Does a Teen's Bedtime Really Matter?
An earlier bedtime may help teenagers by improving executive functioning abilities like memory, self-control, and problem solving, according to preliminary Northwestern University research.
Faculty Spotlight: Terri Sabol Rethinks Early Childhood Education
The promise of change guides Terri Sabol’s thinking—and rethinking—of early childhood education issues. She examines how classrooms, families, and neighborhoods each play a role in a child’s development.
Can Female Principals Be Caring and Commanding?
White and black novice female principals adopt vastly different leadership styles at the beginning of their careers, according to new Northwestern University research that looks at how race and gender intersect for professional educators.
Conference Highlights the Power of Social Relationships
The social connections we create throughout life can impact everything from self-esteem and learning to inequality and teacher performance, researchers said during Northwestern University’s international “Social Relationships Across the Life Span” conference.
Jackson Receives Walder Research Award
SESP Professor Kirabo “Bo” Jackson has been named the 17th recipient of the Martin E. and Gertrude G. Walder Award for Research Excellence. Jackson is one of the world's leading experts in the economics of education and is known for his creative, thorough and highly convincing research on some of the most important education policy topics of the day.
Simone Ispa-Landa Named William T. Grant Scholar
Northwestern University’s Simone Ispa-Landa, an education sociologist, has been named a 2018 William T. Grant Scholar for her work examining racial inequities in school discipline practices.
SESP Heads to AERA 2018
More than three dozen Northwestern University faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students from the School of Education and Social Policy are scheduled to participate in the 2018 annual American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting in New York City.
Spillane Addresses Principals in Hong Kong and Hangzhou
James Spillane, an expert on school leadership and educational policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, conducted a workshop on educational infrastructure design and delivered two keynote speeches for hundreds of principals and administrators during a recent spring trip to Hong Kong and Hangzhou.
Haase Wins Young Investigator Grant
Northwestern University’s Claudia Haase received a 2017 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation to study how emotional interactions between high-risk youth and their loved ones predict caregiver health.
Teaming Up to Combat Isolation
Kourtney Cockrell (MS17) and SESP Professor Mesmin Destin have become allies on a mission to uplift and empower all students.
How to Help Anxious Students Cope With Stress
Talking with students about their goals for a successful future can help manage challenges and stress, according to a Northwestern University-led study published in the journal Motivation and Emotion.
Sexting Research Featured in New York Times, CBS News
Schools and parents commonly tell teenagers not to send sexualized selfies. “But why don’t we tell adolescents to stop asking for nude photos from one another?” psychologist Lisa Damour asked in the New York Times.
In Memoriam: Cynthia (CC) DuBois, 1985-2018
Cynthia (CC) DuBois (PhD ’17), an emerging, award-winning scholar in Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), died as a result of brain cancer on Jan. 2 in Chicago. She was 32.
Magnuson: ‘Don’t Cherry-Pick Outcomes’
Stop worrying so much about whether or not early childhood education programs are working, researcher Katherine Magnuson told School of Education and Social Policy doctoral students during a recent guest lecture and lively discussion in Annenberg Hall.
How to Get More Black, Hispanic Teachers into the Classroom
A critical first step toward building diversity among teachers involves expanding the national pool of black and Hispanic college graduates, according to research by School of Education and Social Policy alumna Constance Lindsay (PhD10).
How to Get More Black, Hispanic Teachers into the Classroom
A critical first step toward building diversity among teachers involves expanding the national pool of black and Hispanic college graduates, according to research by School of Education and Social Policy alumna Constance Lindsay (PhD10).
SESP Hosts Conference on Social Relationships
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) is hosting an international two-day conference on the role of social relationships in homes, schools, online communities, organizations, inequality and more as part of its Global Initiative Conference series.
Rosenbaum Discusses New Book with Pacific Standard
Northwestern University sociologist James Rosenbaum, who has studied the college-for-all-movement for decades, is a leading voice in the field in part to his careful analysis of what colleges can do to improve completion rates, and his assertion that pushing all students to get a four-year bachelor’s degree is a recipe for failure, Dwyer Gunn wrote in the Pacific Standard.
A Path Out of Poverty and Poor Health
School of Education and Social Policy faculty Lindsay Chase-Lansdale and Terri Sabol are among several Northwestern University psychologists and developmental scientists working to help low-income families beat poverty and improve their health.
Schanzenbach To Lead Institute for Policy Research
Prominent economist Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach was named director of Northwestern’s Institute for Policy Research (IPR). She succeeds David Figlio, who left the position to assume his new role as dean of the School of Education and Social Policy.
Schools' Ability to Close Achievement Gap Varies Dramatically
Researchers and policymakers alike often compare the success of students between school districts, but a new Brookings report by David Figlio, and Krzysztof Karbownik indicates that school quality can vary greatly between schools in the same district.
Academic Motivation Suffers When Economic Mobility Seems Out of Reach
Mesmin Destin, Ryan Svoboda co-author new research suggesting that students’ beliefs about the possibility of social mobility have significant consequences
Children Play Key Role in Making Early Education Successful
The way children engage with their teachers, peers, and tasks is vital to the success of early-childhood education but greatly underestimated, according to new Northwestern University research.
MPES Conference Explores Partnerships
Researchers who truly want to change lives must understand the people involved in their lines of inquiry, including principals, teachers, students, and parents, Northwestern University Professor David Figlio said during the recent Multidisciplinary Program in Education Sciences (MPES) Conference in Annenberg Hall.
Carstensen to Speak on Lifespan Development
Stanford University’s Laura Carstensen, whose research suggests that older people are happier, better at regulating their emotions, and have a more positive outlook on the world, will deliver the Bernice Neugarten Lecture on May 22 at Northwestern University.
Sunlight, Later School Start Times Benefit Students
Students who received more sunlight before school did better academically – especially in math – than those who were exposed to less sunlight, according to new Northwestern University research.
McAdams Featured in National Podcast '1A'
Presidents should be judged on their character and competence rather than their mental health, Northwestern University psychologist Dan McAdams said on “1A,” a live, daily WAMU radio program distributed nationally by National Public Radio.
12 Economic Truths About Climate Change
Over the next 70 years, every state in the U.S. is projected to experience increasing temperatures, according to a new report on the economic facts of climate change, co-authored by Northwestern University’s Diane Schanzenbach, director of The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution.
Prenatal Exposure to Superfund Sites May Affect Brain Development
Children who live near hazardous waste sites can benefit from environmental cleanups, suggests one of the first large-scale studies to examine the short and long-term effects of prenatal exposure to Superfund sites on brain development.
Schoenfeld Op-Ed: Prosecutors Escape Blame in Criminal Sentencing
As a sociologist of law who has spent the last decade studying criminal justice policy and incarceration growth in Florida, Northwestern University’s Heather Schoenfeld applauds legislators who support increasing public access to criminal justice data.
Northwestern Hosts Free Screening of ‘Beyond Measure’
A free public screening of Beyond Measure, a documentary that looks at schools on the cutting edge of education reform, will be held April 19 at Northwestern University.
Schanzenbach Coauthors Op-Ed, New Report On Data
The modern economy has never been more reliant on data. But discretionary budget cuts could dramatically affect federal data collection, costing the economy more money than it saves, according to Northwestern University Professor Diane Schanzenbach, director of the Hamilton Project and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
McQuillan Receives Presidential Fellowship
School of Education and Social Policy doctoral candidate Mollie McQuillan has received a 2017 Presidential Fellowship, the most prestigious award available to Northwestern University graduate students.
Figlio, Schapiro Elected to the National Academy of Education
Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy Professor David Figlio and Northwestern University President and Professor Morton Schapiro have been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education.
Guryan's Work Helps Spark Social Policy Revolution
Northwestern University economist Jonathan Guryan is on the front lines of a social policy revolution in Chicago, according to the latest issue of Chicago Magazine.
Guryan Addresses Gun Violence in Sun-Times Essay
Getting young people to slow down – to think before they act – can be a weapon in an anti-violence program, the School of Education and Social Policy’s Jonathan Guryan argued in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Three Faculty Members Receive Diversity Grants
School of Education and Social Policy professors Regina Lopata Logan, Marcelo Worsley and Elizabeth Gerber have received Faculty Innovation in Diversity and Equity grants from the Northwestern University Office of the Provost.
Figlio to Present School Voucher Data
Northwestern University Professor David Figlio will present his recent research on school voucher programs in Ohio and Florida on Feb. 2 during a forum at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute in Washington, D.C.
Are Great Teachers Poor Scholars?
Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro and Professor David Figlio have published research asking the question that has challenged elite universities and liberal arts colleges alike in recent times: “Are Great Teachers Poor Scholars?”
Professor Dan McAdams to Speak at SESP Graduate Event
Northwestern University Professor Dan P. McAdams, Director of the Foley Center for the Study of Lives, will present a talk titled “Authoring a Life: Narrative, Identity, Redemption, and Donald Trump,” for the inaugural SESP graduate programs gathering from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 in room GO2 at Annenberg Hall. Food from Pita Inn will be served.
Schanzenbach Talks to NPR About Chronic Absences
A new report from the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution suggests that states should require school to use chronic absences to measure student success.
How the Stress of Racism Affects Learning
Northwestern research suggesting that the pressures associated with discrimination contribute to the achievement gap featured in The Atlantic.
Kirabo Jackson Finds Single-Sex Schooling Boosts School Outcomes, Lowers Crime
Recent research by SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson's latest study finds positive evidence of single-sex education improving students' academic achievement and decreasing their criminal activity—and how that happens.
Education Week: Online Algebra Worse, Study Finds
Education Week featured a study by SESP doctoral student Jennifer Heissel showing that high-achieving students do worse in an online algebra class than through classroom instruction.
CBS News on Diane Schanzenbach's Study: Is Economy Shortening People's Lives?
CBS News features a study by SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach on why Americans are seeing their longevity decline and mortality rates increase. "People who are poor live a lot less -- a striking amount less -- than the rich," she said.
Education Week: Kirabo Jackson's Study Finds Lesson Plans Benefit Weaker Teachers
Giving weaker teachers good lessons plans - -not professional development -- benefits weaker teachers, according to recent research by Kirabo Jackson.
CBS News on Diane Schanzenbach's Study: Is Economy Shortening People's Lives?
CBS News features a study by SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach on why Americans are seeing their longevity decline and mortality rates increase. "People who are poor live a lot less -- a striking amount less -- than the rich," she said.
Sun-Times: Study Shows Innovative Counseling Program Cuts Youth Crime, Dropout
Crimes committed by young men prone to violence dropped in half, and high-school graduations rose sharply in an innovative counseling program, according to a study co-headed by SESP associate professor Jon Guryan.
Dan McAdams on WTTW: 'What Makes Donald Trump Tick'
SESP professor and psychologist set out to see what makes Trump tick and created a psychological portrait of the man for the June 2016 cover story of The Atlantic magazine. McAdams appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.
Jeannette Colyvas to Collaborate on ‘Big Ideas’ Biomedicine Research
A “Big Ideas” grant from Northwestern’s Buffett Institute will enable SESP associate professor Jeannette Colyvas and her colleagues to create a research group in Global Medical Cultures and Law that will research “Biomedicine and Traditional Medicine across Cultures.”
Reuters: Kids Born Late Perform Better in School
Children born in the 41st week of pregnancy — which is considered “late-term” — have better test scores and are more likely to be classified as gifted in elementary and middle school, compared with children born “full-term,” that is, at 39 or 40 weeks, a new study by SESP professors David Figlio, Jonathan Guryan and their colleagues shows.
New York Times on Claudia Haase's Study: Health Impact of How You Fight
Spouses who seethed with anger while arguing were much more likely to later report symptoms of cardiac problems than calmer spouses, and those who stonewalled were more prone to have muscular problems, according to research by SESP assistant professor Claudia Haase with University of California-Berekeley.
David Brooks in New York Times Cites Kirabo Jackson's Teacher Research
Paul Tough reports on research by SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson that shows while some teachers are good at raising their students’ test scores, other teachers are really good at improving their students’ school engagement. "Today we have to fortify the heart if we’re going to educate the mind," writes Brooks.
WTTW on Claudia Haase's Study: 'Heated Marital Spats Linked to Heart Problems'
“Past research shows that anger is linked to this state of heightened cardiovascular arousal, things like increases in blood pressure and heart rate, and chest pain” said Claudia Haase, lead author of a study analyzing the interpersonal emotional behavior of married couples and its impact on health, in a WTTW feature.
Esquire Features Claudia Haase's Study Showing Way Partners Fight Predicts Health Issues
Esquire reported SESP assistant professor Claudia Haase's research showing that displaying anger and stifling emotions during a fight predict which health issues partners will develop.
Study Finds School Leaders Widely Use Research
The largest survey yet of educational research use among school and district leaders finds positive attitudes toward the value of research and frequent use of research for decision-making. Focusing at the local level, this study is by the National Center for Research in Policy and Practice.
Late-Term Births May Offer Long-Term Future Benefits
Research by professor David Figlio shows that children born at 41 weeks performed better in school than their full-term counterparts. This research should enrich conversations with OB-GYNs about the ideal time to have a baby.
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale Elected to Harvard Board of Overseers
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, associate provost for faculty and Frances Willard Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, has been elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers.
Bloomberg Features PhD Student Claudia Persico's Research on Toxic Waste Site Impact on Kids
Children who grow up near toxic waste sites are more likely to suffer from cognitive disabilities, repeat grades, score lower on tests and misbehave in school than siblings born after the pollution has been cleaned up, research by SESP PhD student Claudia Persico and professor David Figlio suggests.
Dan McAdams on MSNBC Morning Joe: 'Mind of Donald Trump'
SESP professor Dan McAdams shares a psychologist's guide to Donald Trump's behavior on MSNBC's Morning Joe.
Claudia Haase: Angry Outbursts Tied to Heart Problems
Exploding with anger during a marital spat can increase risk of cardiovascular problems later in life, while shutting down emotionally can contribute to back pain, according to new research by SESP's Claudia Haase and the University of California.
Atlantic Cover Story: Dan McAdams Analyzes Mind of Donald Trump
"My aim is to develop a dispassionate and analytical perspective on Trump, drawing upon some of the most important ideas and research findings in psychological science today," SESP professor Dan McAdams says at the outset of his Atlantic article.
Atlantic: Kirabo Jackson's Study Key to Understanding Teachers' Noncognitive Impact
According to resilience expert Paul Tough in The Atlantic, associate professor Kirabo Jackson's research is key to understanding that teachers who excelled at developing students' noncognitive skills had more impact on future education and wages than teachers who improved students' test performance.
Wall Street Journal Quotes Jim Rosenbaum on Value of For-Profit Colleges
In an article on the demonization of for-profit colleges, The Wall Street Journal quotes SESP professor James Rosenbaum on DeVry as an example of a for-profit that has helped students.
Ready for School, Ready for Life
SESP researchers who study how to improve early learning environments will address preschool access and quality during “Ready for School, Ready For Life,” a policy research briefing in Washington, D.C., on May 17.
Jim Spillane Comments on Common Core Controversies
Professor James Spillane is the co-author of the book Challenging Standards, which helps education leaders navigate controversy as they implement testing standards in schools.
Diane Schanzenbach in Wall Street Journal: Strengthen Food Aid
In a commentary in the Wall Street Journal, SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach and Robert E. Rubin call for strengthening the SNAP program to lessen food insecurity.
Jim Spillane Appointed to Advisory Board for National Science Foundation
SESP professor James Spillane was appointed to the advisory board for the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources.
Jim Rosenbaum in Inside Higher Ed: Associate Degree Good Option for Some
SESP professor James Rosenbaum doesn't think academically underprepared students from low-income backgrounds should necessarily settle for an associate degree or certificate, but neither should they be discouraged from getting a shorter-term credential than the BA, according to Inside Higher Education.
Cynthia DuBois Receives Presidential Fellowship
Human Development and Social Policy doctoral student Cynthia (CC) Dubois was awarded a prestigious Presidential Fellowship from Northwestern University.
Kirabo Jackson Named Carnegie Fellow
SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson was named a 2016 Andrew Carnegie Fellow, based on his outstanding scholarship and proposed research on “Identifying Excellent Teachers.”
Grant Foundation Features Cynthia Coburn's Findings on 'Conceptual Use of Research'
Conceptual use of research, such as district leaders reading and discussing a book based on research about school improvement, influences policy actions and problem solving decisions across the school system, according to professor Cynthia Coburn and Caitlin Farrell.
Shanker Institute Highlights Jim Spillane's Work on Leveraging Education's 'Social Dimension'
In a new collection called "The Social Side of Education," the Shanker Institute features professor James Spillane's writing on "Broadening the Educational Capability Conversation: Leveraging the Social Dimension."
Bart Hirsch Shares Research in Washington on Teen Job Skills
As part of a White House summit called “Beating the Odds: Successful Strategies from Schools and Youth Agencies That Build Ladders of Opportunity,” SESP professor Barton Hirsch shared his findings on building job skills presented in his new book, Job Skills and Minority Youth. He will again highlight this research in a webinar on April 27.
CBS News Cites Diane Schanzenbach's Research on Food Stamps
In an article on the impact of cuts to the food stamp program being considered by Congress, CBS News cites a study by SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach showing the program decreased low birth weights and infant mortality.
Tutoring Program Should Be Expanded Nationally
SESP associate professor Jonathan Guryan, along with other Northwestern University and University of Chicago experts, has recommended a national scale-up of a program that has been shown to add up to two years of learning in math over a single school year for struggling high school students – without requiring any additional government funding.
Mesmin Destin in Boston Globe: Students Who See Path to College Work Harder
Boston Globe in "Pay to Play" reported SESP assistant professor Mesmin Destin's finding that poor students — but not affluent students — who learned about financial aid reported that they would study more and were more likely to consider college.
Emma Adam in Pacific Standard: 'Health Toll of Schoolyard Racism'
An article about the damaging health effects of racial discrimination cites Emma Adam's research showing discrimination during adolescence can produce long-lasting negative health effects by altering the body's natural cortisol rhythms.
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale: Today's Two-Generation Programs to Combat Child Poverty
Pacific Standard reports professor Lindsay Chase-Lansdale's research on two-generation programs. "To more effectively redirect low-income children's lives, programs should simultaneously target the child and the child's home environment," she says.
Ending Mass Incarceration in the United States
SESP assistant professor Heather Schoenfeld is investigating why states are seeking prison reform and how these efforts might help the U.S. reverse mass incarceration.
Simone Ispa-Landa in U.S. News: Academia's 'Baby Penalty'
Men fare better in academia than women -- especially women who have children, Simone Ispa-Landa and Sandra Waxman write in U.S. News.
Seattle Times: Kirabo Jackson's Study First to Show Long-Term Impact of School Spending
SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson is the lead author of a study that is the first to show the long-term effects of school spending.
Courier Quotes Diane Schanzenbach: 'Class Size Matters'
The Louisville Courier-Journal quotes SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach, who has researched the long-term effects of small classes and says there is evidence that class size matters, but the question is just how much.
SESP Researchers Undertake Adolescent Stress Study in Dominica
Dominica News reports that postdoctoral researcher Royette Tavernier, who works with professor Emma Adam, is conducting a study to assess stress, coping, health and resilience among youth in Dominica after tropical storm Erika.
Forbes Features Dan McAdams on Importance of Struggle, Redemption in Life Slories
Forbes magazine describes SESP professor Dan McAdams's book The Stories We Live By in an article about the importance of struggle and redemption in life stories of business leaders. McAdams's book explores how internal narratives form our identity.
Diane Schanzenbach on White House Panel: Food Stamp Program 'Investment, Not Charity'
The federal food stamp program has a strong impact on health, education and economic self-sufficiency, according to leading economist Diane Schanzenbach, who presented at a White House panel on child hunger.
Diane Schanzenbach: 'Do Food Stamps Really Discourage Work?'
Paceific Standard quotes SESP professor Diane Schanzenbach, who is skeptical that SNAP benefits today provide much in the way of work disincentives for healthy, childless adults.
Emma Adam on WGBH: 'How Discrimination Affects Your Hormone Levels'
SESP professor Emma Adam discovered a link between cortisol levels and experiences with racism that showed the long-term effect of being discriminated against as a teenager.
Education Week Recognizes New Education Research Center Co-Led by Cynthia Coburn, Jim Spillane
Education Week notes that the Institute of Education Sciences has launched the five-year, $5 million National Center for Research in Policy and Practice, co-led by SESP professors Cynthia Coburn and Jim Spillane, "to study how research works its way into instructional decisions and education policies."
Washington Post Reports Jon Guryan's Lottery Research: 'No Lucky Stores'
There is no such thing as a "lucky" lottery store, although associate professor Jon Guryan's study found lottery sales jump as much as 38 percent at stores selling winning tickets.
Independent Quotes David Figlio on Nebraska's School Choice Bill
As Nebraska considers a bill designed to increase educational choice that provides tax credits for low- and moderate-income families, the Grand Island Independent quotes SESP professor David Figlio as saying the bill’s income eligibility rules are relatively generous.
Jim Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee, Kirabo Jackson Named to Edu-Scholar Top 200
School of Education and Social Policy professors James Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee and Kirabo Jackson were named to the Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for 2016.
Honoring 'the Mother' of the Disability Rights Movement
Northwestern University's Jen Cowhy, a doctoral student in the Human Development and Social Policy program at the School of Education and Social Policy, helped coauthor a joint statement recognizing the work and legacy of Judy Heumann for the American Educational Research Association.
Doctoral Student Wins DevSci Fellowship
Matías Martinez, a doctoral student in the Human Development and Social Policy program, received the DevSci Graduate Student Fellowship to further his research looking at how schools can prevent bullying and helping kids cope with peer victimization.
Mesmin Destin: Messages That Can Change a Child’s Life
Whether the timing is intentional or serendipitous, hearing certain messages at critical moments can offer hope and keep people inspired to work towards their goals, Northwestern University’s Mesmin Destin said during a TEDxChicago talk at the Harris Theater.
OpEd: The Pitfalls of School Metrics
One size-fits-all metrics don’t fairly measure what matters most in many schools – a student’s mental health, Northwestern University sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa argues in a recent opinion piece in the Washington Post.
Schwandt Promoted to Associate Professor
Hannes Schwandt, an economist who studies the relationships between health, wealth, and overall well-being, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at the School of Education and Social Policy.
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale: ‘A Builder, Connector, Mentor’
Northwestern University’s Lindsay Chase-Lansdale has profoundly shaped the field of developmental psychology and the people working in it, a panel of top scholars said during a recent celebration of her scholarship at Annenberg Hall.
Sabol Promoted to Associate Professor
Psychologist Terri Sabol, who examines how classrooms, families and neighborhoods impact a child’s early development, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Muskin, Stein Win Honorable Mention in Essay Contest
Graduate students Melanie Muskin and Andrew Stein received honorable mention in the Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues essay contest, which challenged writers to address the legacy of white supremacy and Western dominance in psychology.
What Happens When More Four-Year-Olds Attend Preschool?
Northwestern University researchers, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, the Office of the Mayor of Chicago, and the Chicago Department of Family Support and Services, are studying how the recent expansion of universal prekindergarten in Chicago will impact students from lower income backgrounds.
Lifelong Learners Earn Doctorates
Eight Northwestern University graduate students recently reached the pinnacle of education, earning doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
Bonilla Promoted to Associate Professor
Northwestern University’s Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist who studies how communication influences public support for policies, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at the School of Education and Social Policy.
Spillane Honored for Mentoring Young Scholars
James Spillane received the 2022 Spencer Foundation Mentor Award for his generous, wise, and decades-long support of the next generation of scholars.
Faculty Contribute to New IES Report on Future of Ed Research
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) should change its structures and policies to better meet changing priorities in education – including improving equity and the usefulness of research, according to a new report whose authors include several Northwestern University faculty members.
Why You Should Savor Fleeting Moments of Joy
Hold back on the bickering. New research co-authored by Northwestern University's Claudia Haase, suggests that couples who share sweet moments filled with humor and affection, and sync up biologically — two hearts beating as one — enjoy better health prospects and live longer than their more quarrelsome counterparts.
Pioneering Psychologist Dan P. McAdams Named Interim SESP Dean
Dan P. McAdams, one of the nation's foremost researchers in the field of narrative psychology, has been named interim dean of Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.
Making an Impact: Faculty Research Named Year's Best
Two papers coauthored by researchers at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) were named to the Edutopia’s “10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2021.”
Emma Adam Named Associate Vice President for Research
Emma Adam, the Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Human Development and Social Policy in the School of Education and Social Policy has been named associate vice president for research at Northwestern University.
Teens’ COVID-19 Stress Levels Tied to Parents’ Education
Family education levels predicted how much stress teenagers felt during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study by researchers at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Graduate Students Win Spencer Dissertation Fellowships
Graduate students Nikki McDaid and Sebastián Kiguel have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.
Addressing America's Death Problem
Americans have shorter lives than similarly situated Europeans, even in the richest areas, according to new Northwestern University research coauthored by School of Education and Social Policy professor Hannes Schwandt. At the same time, longevity of Black Americans has been catching up, and the life expectancy gap between Black and white Americans fell by 48.9%.
Addressing America's Death Problem
Americans have shorter lives than similarly situated Europeans, even in the richest areas, according to new Northwestern University research coauthored by School of Education and Social Policy professor Hannes Schwandt. At the same time, longevity of Black Americans has been catching up, and the life expectancy gap between Black and white Americans fell by 48.9%.
Meet SESP's Newest PhD's
Sixteen Northwestern University graduate students earned doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
New Research: Illinois Fared Well Amid COVID-19 Chaos
Illinois is a national model for how to equitably allocate resources during trying times, according to a new report by Northwestern University researchers assessing the response to COVID-19 for child care programs in Illinois.
SESP Launches New Research-Practice Partnership with $5.8-Million Grant
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) received a $5.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support an innovative partnership that links University researchers and Curriculum Associates, a leading provider of digital assessment and instructional materials, with several school districts.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Destin Lab
Northwestern University social psychologist Mesmin Destin, a recent Guggenheim Fellow selection, explores how the presumed “disadvantages” related to students’ backgrounds can carry unrecognized strengths, Kirsten Weir wrote in “Finding Strength in Hardship.”
Qu Receives Early Career Award
Northwestern University developmental psychologist Yang Qu has received an Early Career Award from the Society for Research in Child Development’s Asian Caucus for his work studying the experiences of teenagers in the United States and China.
Bonilla Develops New Class With Equity and Diversity Grant
Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy professor Tabitha Bonilla has developed a new undergraduate class that explores how looking at identities as 'intersectional' shifts our understanding of policy.
Sheridan Fuller Named Presidential Fellow
Sheridan Fuller, a graduate student in the Human Development and Social Policy program at the School of Education and Social Policy, has received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University for his work investigating the benefits and pitfalls of the social safety net, which is designed to protect Americans from poverty and hardship.
Coburn Honored With Excellence in Teaching Award
Cynthia Coburn has been awarded the Charles Deering McCormick University Professorship of Teaching Excellence Award for her innovative classroom instruction, the compassion and care she has shown undergraduates, and her pioneering contributions to the field of education research.
Brayboy Challenges SESP to Reimagine Education for Indigenous Students
Scholars have an important opportunity and responsibility to help transform schools into a system that supports Indigenous students, Arizona State University (ASU) professor Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) said during the latest installment of the School of Education and Social Policy Equity Book Club.
Sheridan Fuller Named Presidential Fellow
Sheridan Fuller, a graduate student in the Human Development and Social Policy program at the School of Education and Social Policy, has received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University for his work investigating the benefits and pitfalls of the social safety net, which is designed to protect Americans from poverty and hardship.
New Research: Why We Should Listen to Preschoolers
Early childhood policies could be vastly improved by listening to the unexpectedly wise voices of those who stand to benefit: children as young as four years old, according to new Northwestern University research published in Translational Issues in Psychological Science.
Marginalized Students’ Backgrounds a Strength, Researchers Say
Rather than “fixing” students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, colleges and universities should view their experiences as assets and a source of strength, according to two new publications by SESP researchers.
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Destin Lab
Northwestern University social psychologist Mesmin Destin, a recent Guggenheim Fellow selection, explores how the presumed “disadvantages” related to students’ backgrounds can carry unrecognized strengths, Kirsten Weir wrote in “Finding Strength in Hardship.”
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
Marginalized Students’ Backgrounds a Strength, Researchers Say
Rather than “fixing” students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, colleges and universities should view their experiences as assets and a source of strength, according to two new publications by SESP researchers.
SESP in the Media: December 2020
An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the news media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.
From East Germany to Evanston: Haase Promoted to Associate Professor
Claudia Haase, a developmental psychologist who studies pathways to happy and healthy development across the life span, was promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy in the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2020.
Six Scholars Join the Human Development and Social Policy Doctoral Program
Community and a “strong sense of mutuality” are what make the human development and social policy doctoral program so special, School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio told incoming students during Wildcat Welcome 2020.
Loneliness and Uncertainty Major Stressors for College Students
Stress from COVID-19 — along with stress related to health care, the economy, racism and the presidential election — is seriously threatening the mental health of our country, particularly our youngest generation, according to a new national survey from the American Psychological Association (APA).
Six Scholars Join the Human Development and Social Policy Doctoral Program
Community and a “strong sense of mutuality” are what make the human development and social policy doctoral program so special, School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio told incoming students during Wildcat Welcome 2020.
Faculty Member Wins National Science Foundation Award
Yang Qu received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation to further his multidisciplinary work on teen stereotypes and adolescent development.
Rising Scholars Receive NAEd/Spencer Fellowships and Awards
Five early career researchers – including doctoral students Julissa Muñiz and Cora Wigger – were among the winners of the prestigious 2020 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral and Dissertation Fellowships Awards.
Why Pregnant Women Can Be 'Cautiously Optimistic'
Pregnant women and their children should fare much better during the COVID-19 pandemic than their counterparts who experienced the 1918 Spanish Influenza, a Northwestern University report suggests.
SESP Psychologist Named ‘Rising Star’
Northwestern University developmental psychologist Yang Qu was named a 2020 Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Sciences for his interdisciplinary work examining the role of sociocultural contexts in adolescent development.
Kirabo Jackson: Invest in Education Early and Often
Educational investments are most cost-effective when they start early and are sustained throughout childhood, Northwestern University’s Kirabo Jackson said during the Education Policy Institute’s (EPI) Annual Lecture in London’s City Hall.
Emma Adam Named APS Fellow
Emma Adam, Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education and Social Policy, was named a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science for her outstanding contributions to the field of developmental psychobiology of stress and sleep.
Coburn, Jackson Elected to National Academy of Education
Cynthia Coburn and economist Kirabo Jackson were among fifteen exceptional scholars elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education research. Northwestern was the only institution to have two inductees this year
The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning
In his latest book, The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning, Dan McAdams asserts that Donald Trump may be the rare person who lacks any inner story, something most people develop to give their lives unity, meaning, and purpose.
Sabol Offers Advice for Caregivers During COVID-19
Making a daily schedule can help both parents and children adjust to learning at home during the coronavirus pandemic, said School of Education and Social Policy assistant professor Terri Sabol, an expert in early childhood development.
What Happens When You Start Work During a Recession?
Recent graduates who are unlucky enough to join the workforce during a recession will likely see a loss in income and negative health effects over their lifetime, Northwestern University economist Hannes Schwandt told political analyst Amy Walter, host of The Takeaway, Fridays.
Tabitha Bonilla Joins SESP Faculty
Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist who studies how messaging influences voters’ responses to political issues and candidates, has joined Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as assistant professor of human development and social policy.
SESP Faculty Members Join IPR
Tabitha Bonilla and Sally Nuamah have been named faculty fellows at Northwestern University’s Institute for Policy Research, an interdisciplinary community of scholars.
Ispa-Landa Named Associate Professor
Northwestern University education sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa received tenure and was promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy in the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2019.
Sally Nuamah: The Education Disruptor
Education wasn’t a sure thing for Sally Nuamah. Raised by a single mother in a low-income Chicago neighborhood, Nuamah was the child of immigrants, black and female.
Evanston Middle Schoolers Visit Campus
When Northwestern University doctoral student Eric Brown was recruiting students at Evanston’s Nichols Middle School for his dissertation research, at least five or six asked whether he'd be interviewing them on campus.
Emissions-Cheating Vehicles Linked to Worse Health in Babies, Children Across U.S.
A new study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is the first to show that diesel cars implicated in the emissions-cheating scandal had population-level impacts on infant and child health.
Spillane Coaches Education Leaders in Asia
Professor James Spillane delivered a keynote speech on school leadership and led a related workshop during the recent Global Education Leadership Summit in Bangkok.
Rosenbaum Receives Career Award – But Far From Slowing Down
James Rosenbaum’s ability to cultivate talented researchers and his passion for tackling pressing social issues recently earned him the Elizabeth G. Cohen Distinguished Career in Applied Sociology of Education Award from the American Education Research Association.
SESP Heads to Toronto for AERA
SESP faculty, alumni, postdocs and graduate students will be presenting at the 2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting April 5 through April 9, the world’s largest gathering of education researchers.
The Cost of a Twin Brother
Women who shared their mother’s womb with a male twin are less likely to graduate from high school or college, have earned less by their early 30s, and have lower fertility and marriage rates when compared with twins who are both female, according to new Northwestern University research.
Doctoral Candidate Selected to Millennium Scholars Program
While working as an eighth-grade math teacher, Andrea Kinghorn Busby saw how her students’ lives outside school intersected with their classroom experiences.
Who Benefits From Looking at the Bright Side?
Searching for a silver lining during a stressful situation can help decrease anxiety, particularly for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, new Northwestern University research suggests.
Hang In There. As Couples Age, Humor Replaces Bickering
Honeymoon long over? Hang in there. A new UC Berkeley study, co-authored by Northwestern University's Claudia Haase, shows those prickly disagreements that can mark the early and middle years of marriage mellow with age as conflicts give way to humor and acceptance.
Five SESP Faculty Named to Edu-Scholar List
Five School of Education and Social Policy scholars were named to Education Week’s “Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings,” which recognize 200 of the most influential academics in education policy.
Mesmin Destin Wins Early Career Award
Northwestern University psychologist Mesmin Destin, whose research emphasizes the key role socioeconomic status plays in the study of human behavior, was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) for his stellar work in the early stages of his career.
Faculty Spotlight: Terri Sabol Rethinks Early Childhood Education
The promise of change guides Terri Sabol’s thinking—and rethinking—of early childhood education issues. She examines how classrooms, families, and neighborhoods each play a role in a child’s development.
Does a Teen's Bedtime Really Matter?
An earlier bedtime may help teenagers by improving executive functioning abilities like memory, self-control, and problem solving, according to preliminary Northwestern University research.
Diane Schanzenbach Elected to National Academy of Education
Economist Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), has been elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of her outstanding research contributions on education issues.
Can Female Principals Be Caring and Commanding?
White and black novice female principals adopt vastly different leadership styles at the beginning of their careers, according to new Northwestern University research that looks at how race and gender intersect for professional educators.
Economists and Psychologists Agree: Inequality Saps Opportunities and Motivation
Rising economic inequality makes people less likely to believe that upward mobility is possible, shaping both their motivation and behavior, according to a research review published in the journal Nature Human Behavior.
Education Lab Receives $15 Million Donation from AbbVie
AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois, announced a $55 million donation to three nonprofits working to address the achievement gap for children in high-poverty areas, including Chicago. Northwestern University economist Jonathan Guryan co-directs the University of Chicago’s Education Lab, which will receive $15 million.
Hang In There. As Couples Age, Humor Replaces Bickering
Honeymoon long over? Hang in there. A new UC Berkeley study, co-authored by Northwestern University's Claudia Haase, shows those prickly disagreements that can mark the early and middle years of marriage mellow with age as conflicts give way to humor and acceptance.
Who Benefits From Looking at the Bright Side?
Searching for a silver lining during a stressful situation can help decrease anxiety, particularly for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, new Northwestern University research suggests.
Mesmin Destin Wins Early Career Award
Northwestern University psychologist Mesmin Destin, whose research emphasizes the key role socioeconomic status plays in the study of human behavior, was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) for his stellar work in the early stages of his career.
Diane Schanzenbach Elected to National Academy of Education
Economist Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), has been elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of her outstanding research contributions on education issues.
Does a Teen's Bedtime Really Matter?
An earlier bedtime may help teenagers by improving executive functioning abilities like memory, self-control, and problem solving, according to preliminary Northwestern University research.
Faculty Spotlight: Terri Sabol Rethinks Early Childhood Education
The promise of change guides Terri Sabol’s thinking—and rethinking—of early childhood education issues. She examines how classrooms, families, and neighborhoods each play a role in a child’s development.
Can Female Principals Be Caring and Commanding?
White and black novice female principals adopt vastly different leadership styles at the beginning of their careers, according to new Northwestern University research that looks at how race and gender intersect for professional educators.
Conference Highlights the Power of Social Relationships
The social connections we create throughout life can impact everything from self-esteem and learning to inequality and teacher performance, researchers said during Northwestern University’s international “Social Relationships Across the Life Span” conference.
Jackson Receives Walder Research Award
SESP Professor Kirabo “Bo” Jackson has been named the 17th recipient of the Martin E. and Gertrude G. Walder Award for Research Excellence. Jackson is one of the world's leading experts in the economics of education and is known for his creative, thorough and highly convincing research on some of the most important education policy topics of the day.
Simone Ispa-Landa Named William T. Grant Scholar
Northwestern University’s Simone Ispa-Landa, an education sociologist, has been named a 2018 William T. Grant Scholar for her work examining racial inequities in school discipline practices.
SESP Heads to AERA 2018
More than three dozen Northwestern University faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students from the School of Education and Social Policy are scheduled to participate in the 2018 annual American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting in New York City.
Spillane Addresses Principals in Hong Kong and Hangzhou
James Spillane, an expert on school leadership and educational policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, conducted a workshop on educational infrastructure design and delivered two keynote speeches for hundreds of principals and administrators during a recent spring trip to Hong Kong and Hangzhou.
Haase Wins Young Investigator Grant
Northwestern University’s Claudia Haase received a 2017 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation to study how emotional interactions between high-risk youth and their loved ones predict caregiver health.
Teaming Up to Combat Isolation
Kourtney Cockrell (MS17) and SESP Professor Mesmin Destin have become allies on a mission to uplift and empower all students.
How to Help Anxious Students Cope With Stress
Talking with students about their goals for a successful future can help manage challenges and stress, according to a Northwestern University-led study published in the journal Motivation and Emotion.
Sexting Research Featured in New York Times, CBS News
Schools and parents commonly tell teenagers not to send sexualized selfies. “But why don’t we tell adolescents to stop asking for nude photos from one another?” psychologist Lisa Damour asked in the New York Times.
In Memoriam: Cynthia (CC) DuBois, 1985-2018
Cynthia (CC) DuBois (PhD ’17), an emerging, award-winning scholar in Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), died as a result of brain cancer on Jan. 2 in Chicago. She was 32.
Magnuson: ‘Don’t Cherry-Pick Outcomes’
Stop worrying so much about whether or not early childhood education programs are working, researcher Katherine Magnuson told School of Education and Social Policy doctoral students during a recent guest lecture and lively discussion in Annenberg Hall.
How to Get More Black, Hispanic Teachers into the Classroom
A critical first step toward building diversity among teachers involves expanding the national pool of black and Hispanic college graduates, according to research by School of Education and Social Policy alumna Constance Lindsay (PhD10).
How to Get More Black, Hispanic Teachers into the Classroom
A critical first step toward building diversity among teachers involves expanding the national pool of black and Hispanic college graduates, according to research by School of Education and Social Policy alumna Constance Lindsay (PhD10).
SESP Hosts Conference on Social Relationships
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) is hosting an international two-day conference on the role of social relationships in homes, schools, online communities, organizations, inequality and more as part of its Global Initiative Conference series.
Rosenbaum Discusses New Book with Pacific Standard
Northwestern University sociologist James Rosenbaum, who has studied the college-for-all-movement for decades, is a leading voice in the field in part to his careful analysis of what colleges can do to improve completion rates, and his assertion that pushing all students to get a four-year bachelor’s degree is a recipe for failure, Dwyer Gunn wrote in the Pacific Standard.
A Path Out of Poverty and Poor Health
School of Education and Social Policy faculty Lindsay Chase-Lansdale and Terri Sabol are among several Northwestern University psychologists and developmental scientists working to help low-income families beat poverty and improve their health.
Schanzenbach To Lead Institute for Policy Research
Prominent economist Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach was named director of Northwestern’s Institute for Policy Research (IPR). She succeeds David Figlio, who left the position to assume his new role as dean of the School of Education and Social Policy.
Schools' Ability to Close Achievement Gap Varies Dramatically
Researchers and policymakers alike often compare the success of students between school districts, but a new Brookings report by David Figlio, and Krzysztof Karbownik indicates that school quality can vary greatly between schools in the same district.
Academic Motivation Suffers When Economic Mobility Seems Out of Reach
Mesmin Destin, Ryan Svoboda co-author new research suggesting that students’ beliefs about the possibility of social mobility have significant consequences
Children Play Key Role in Making Early Education Successful
The way children engage with their teachers, peers, and tasks is vital to the success of early-childhood education but greatly underestimated, according to new Northwestern University research.
MPES Conference Explores Partnerships
Researchers who truly want to change lives must understand the people involved in their lines of inquiry, including principals, teachers, students, and parents, Northwestern University Professor David Figlio said during the recent Multidisciplinary Program in Education Sciences (MPES) Conference in Annenberg Hall.
Carstensen to Speak on Lifespan Development
Stanford University’s Laura Carstensen, whose research suggests that older people are happier, better at regulating their emotions, and have a more positive outlook on the world, will deliver the Bernice Neugarten Lecture on May 22 at Northwestern University.
Sunlight, Later School Start Times Benefit Students
Students who received more sunlight before school did better academically – especially in math – than those who were exposed to less sunlight, according to new Northwestern University research.
McAdams Featured in National Podcast '1A'
Presidents should be judged on their character and competence rather than their mental health, Northwestern University psychologist Dan McAdams said on “1A,” a live, daily WAMU radio program distributed nationally by National Public Radio.
12 Economic Truths About Climate Change
Over the next 70 years, every state in the U.S. is projected to experience increasing temperatures, according to a new report on the economic facts of climate change, co-authored by Northwestern University’s Diane Schanzenbach, director of The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution.
Prenatal Exposure to Superfund Sites May Affect Brain Development
Children who live near hazardous waste sites can benefit from environmental cleanups, suggests one of the first large-scale studies to examine the short and long-term effects of prenatal exposure to Superfund sites on brain development.
Schoenfeld Op-Ed: Prosecutors Escape Blame in Criminal Sentencing
As a sociologist of law who has spent the last decade studying criminal justice policy and incarceration growth in Florida, Northwestern University’s Heather Schoenfeld applauds legislators who support increasing public access to criminal justice data.
Northwestern Hosts Free Screening of ‘Beyond Measure’
A free public screening of Beyond Measure, a documentary that looks at schools on the cutting edge of education reform, will be held April 19 at Northwestern University.
Schanzenbach Coauthors Op-Ed, New Report On Data
The modern economy has never been more reliant on data. But discretionary budget cuts could dramatically affect federal data collection, costing the economy more money than it saves, according to Northwestern University Professor Diane Schanzenbach, director of the Hamilton Project and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
McQuillan Receives Presidential Fellowship
School of Education and Social Policy doctoral candidate Mollie McQuillan has received a 2017 Presidential Fellowship, the most prestigious award available to Northwestern University graduate students.
Figlio, Schapiro Elected to the National Academy of Education
Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy Professor David Figlio and Northwestern University President and Professor Morton Schapiro have been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education.
Guryan's Work Helps Spark Social Policy Revolution
Northwestern University economist Jonathan Guryan is on the front lines of a social policy revolution in Chicago, according to the latest issue of Chicago Magazine.
Guryan Addresses Gun Violence in Sun-Times Essay
Getting young people to slow down – to think before they act – can be a weapon in an anti-violence program, the School of Education and Social Policy’s Jonathan Guryan argued in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Three Faculty Members Receive Diversity Grants
School of Education and Social Policy professors Regina Lopata Logan, Marcelo Worsley and Elizabeth Gerber have received Faculty Innovation in Diversity and Equity grants from the Northwestern University Office of the Provost.
Figlio to Present School Voucher Data
Northwestern University Professor David Figlio will present his recent research on school voucher programs in Ohio and Florida on Feb. 2 during a forum at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute in Washington, D.C.
Are Great Teachers Poor Scholars?
Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro and Professor David Figlio have published research asking the question that has challenged elite universities and liberal arts colleges alike in recent times: “Are Great Teachers Poor Scholars?”
Professor Dan McAdams to Speak at SESP Graduate Event
Northwestern University Professor Dan P. McAdams, Director of the Foley Center for the Study of Lives, will present a talk titled “Authoring a Life: Narrative, Identity, Redemption, and Donald Trump,” for the inaugural SESP graduate programs gathering from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 in room GO2 at Annenberg Hall. Food from Pita Inn will be served.
Schanzenbach Talks to NPR About Chronic Absences
A new report from the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution suggests that states should require school to use chronic absences to measure student success.
How the Stress of Racism Affects Learning
Northwestern research suggesting that the pressures associated with discrimination contribute to the achievement gap featured in The Atlantic.
Kirabo Jackson Finds Single-Sex Schooling Boosts School Outcomes, Lowers Crime
Recent research by SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson's latest study finds positive evidence of single-sex education improving students' academic achievement and decreasing their criminal activity—and how that happens.
Education Week: Online Algebra Worse, Study Finds
Education Week featured a study by SESP doctoral student Jennifer Heissel showing that high-achieving students do worse in an online algebra class than through classroom instruction.
CBS News on Diane Schanzenbach's Study: Is Economy Shortening People's Lives?
CBS News features a study by SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach on why Americans are seeing their longevity decline and mortality rates increase. "People who are poor live a lot less -- a striking amount less -- than the rich," she said.
Education Week: Kirabo Jackson's Study Finds Lesson Plans Benefit Weaker Teachers
Giving weaker teachers good lessons plans - -not professional development -- benefits weaker teachers, according to recent research by Kirabo Jackson.
CBS News on Diane Schanzenbach's Study: Is Economy Shortening People's Lives?
CBS News features a study by SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach on why Americans are seeing their longevity decline and mortality rates increase. "People who are poor live a lot less -- a striking amount less -- than the rich," she said.
Sun-Times: Study Shows Innovative Counseling Program Cuts Youth Crime, Dropout
Crimes committed by young men prone to violence dropped in half, and high-school graduations rose sharply in an innovative counseling program, according to a study co-headed by SESP associate professor Jon Guryan.
Dan McAdams on WTTW: 'What Makes Donald Trump Tick'
SESP professor and psychologist set out to see what makes Trump tick and created a psychological portrait of the man for the June 2016 cover story of The Atlantic magazine. McAdams appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.
Jeannette Colyvas to Collaborate on ‘Big Ideas’ Biomedicine Research
A “Big Ideas” grant from Northwestern’s Buffett Institute will enable SESP associate professor Jeannette Colyvas and her colleagues to create a research group in Global Medical Cultures and Law that will research “Biomedicine and Traditional Medicine across Cultures.”
Reuters: Kids Born Late Perform Better in School
Children born in the 41st week of pregnancy — which is considered “late-term” — have better test scores and are more likely to be classified as gifted in elementary and middle school, compared with children born “full-term,” that is, at 39 or 40 weeks, a new study by SESP professors David Figlio, Jonathan Guryan and their colleagues shows.
New York Times on Claudia Haase's Study: Health Impact of How You Fight
Spouses who seethed with anger while arguing were much more likely to later report symptoms of cardiac problems than calmer spouses, and those who stonewalled were more prone to have muscular problems, according to research by SESP assistant professor Claudia Haase with University of California-Berekeley.
David Brooks in New York Times Cites Kirabo Jackson's Teacher Research
Paul Tough reports on research by SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson that shows while some teachers are good at raising their students’ test scores, other teachers are really good at improving their students’ school engagement. "Today we have to fortify the heart if we’re going to educate the mind," writes Brooks.
WTTW on Claudia Haase's Study: 'Heated Marital Spats Linked to Heart Problems'
“Past research shows that anger is linked to this state of heightened cardiovascular arousal, things like increases in blood pressure and heart rate, and chest pain” said Claudia Haase, lead author of a study analyzing the interpersonal emotional behavior of married couples and its impact on health, in a WTTW feature.
Esquire Features Claudia Haase's Study Showing Way Partners Fight Predicts Health Issues
Esquire reported SESP assistant professor Claudia Haase's research showing that displaying anger and stifling emotions during a fight predict which health issues partners will develop.
Study Finds School Leaders Widely Use Research
The largest survey yet of educational research use among school and district leaders finds positive attitudes toward the value of research and frequent use of research for decision-making. Focusing at the local level, this study is by the National Center for Research in Policy and Practice.
Late-Term Births May Offer Long-Term Future Benefits
Research by professor David Figlio shows that children born at 41 weeks performed better in school than their full-term counterparts. This research should enrich conversations with OB-GYNs about the ideal time to have a baby.
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale Elected to Harvard Board of Overseers
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, associate provost for faculty and Frances Willard Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, has been elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers.
Bloomberg Features PhD Student Claudia Persico's Research on Toxic Waste Site Impact on Kids
Children who grow up near toxic waste sites are more likely to suffer from cognitive disabilities, repeat grades, score lower on tests and misbehave in school than siblings born after the pollution has been cleaned up, research by SESP PhD student Claudia Persico and professor David Figlio suggests.
Dan McAdams on MSNBC Morning Joe: 'Mind of Donald Trump'
SESP professor Dan McAdams shares a psychologist's guide to Donald Trump's behavior on MSNBC's Morning Joe.
Claudia Haase: Angry Outbursts Tied to Heart Problems
Exploding with anger during a marital spat can increase risk of cardiovascular problems later in life, while shutting down emotionally can contribute to back pain, according to new research by SESP's Claudia Haase and the University of California.
Atlantic Cover Story: Dan McAdams Analyzes Mind of Donald Trump
"My aim is to develop a dispassionate and analytical perspective on Trump, drawing upon some of the most important ideas and research findings in psychological science today," SESP professor Dan McAdams says at the outset of his Atlantic article.
Atlantic: Kirabo Jackson's Study Key to Understanding Teachers' Noncognitive Impact
According to resilience expert Paul Tough in The Atlantic, associate professor Kirabo Jackson's research is key to understanding that teachers who excelled at developing students' noncognitive skills had more impact on future education and wages than teachers who improved students' test performance.
Wall Street Journal Quotes Jim Rosenbaum on Value of For-Profit Colleges
In an article on the demonization of for-profit colleges, The Wall Street Journal quotes SESP professor James Rosenbaum on DeVry as an example of a for-profit that has helped students.
Ready for School, Ready for Life
SESP researchers who study how to improve early learning environments will address preschool access and quality during “Ready for School, Ready For Life,” a policy research briefing in Washington, D.C., on May 17.
Jim Spillane Comments on Common Core Controversies
Professor James Spillane is the co-author of the book Challenging Standards, which helps education leaders navigate controversy as they implement testing standards in schools.
Diane Schanzenbach in Wall Street Journal: Strengthen Food Aid
In a commentary in the Wall Street Journal, SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach and Robert E. Rubin call for strengthening the SNAP program to lessen food insecurity.
Jim Spillane Appointed to Advisory Board for National Science Foundation
SESP professor James Spillane was appointed to the advisory board for the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources.
Jim Rosenbaum in Inside Higher Ed: Associate Degree Good Option for Some
SESP professor James Rosenbaum doesn't think academically underprepared students from low-income backgrounds should necessarily settle for an associate degree or certificate, but neither should they be discouraged from getting a shorter-term credential than the BA, according to Inside Higher Education.
Cynthia DuBois Receives Presidential Fellowship
Human Development and Social Policy doctoral student Cynthia (CC) Dubois was awarded a prestigious Presidential Fellowship from Northwestern University.
Kirabo Jackson Named Carnegie Fellow
SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson was named a 2016 Andrew Carnegie Fellow, based on his outstanding scholarship and proposed research on “Identifying Excellent Teachers.”
Grant Foundation Features Cynthia Coburn's Findings on 'Conceptual Use of Research'
Conceptual use of research, such as district leaders reading and discussing a book based on research about school improvement, influences policy actions and problem solving decisions across the school system, according to professor Cynthia Coburn and Caitlin Farrell.
Shanker Institute Highlights Jim Spillane's Work on Leveraging Education's 'Social Dimension'
In a new collection called "The Social Side of Education," the Shanker Institute features professor James Spillane's writing on "Broadening the Educational Capability Conversation: Leveraging the Social Dimension."
Bart Hirsch Shares Research in Washington on Teen Job Skills
As part of a White House summit called “Beating the Odds: Successful Strategies from Schools and Youth Agencies That Build Ladders of Opportunity,” SESP professor Barton Hirsch shared his findings on building job skills presented in his new book, Job Skills and Minority Youth. He will again highlight this research in a webinar on April 27.
CBS News Cites Diane Schanzenbach's Research on Food Stamps
In an article on the impact of cuts to the food stamp program being considered by Congress, CBS News cites a study by SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach showing the program decreased low birth weights and infant mortality.
Tutoring Program Should Be Expanded Nationally
SESP associate professor Jonathan Guryan, along with other Northwestern University and University of Chicago experts, has recommended a national scale-up of a program that has been shown to add up to two years of learning in math over a single school year for struggling high school students – without requiring any additional government funding.
Mesmin Destin in Boston Globe: Students Who See Path to College Work Harder
Boston Globe in "Pay to Play" reported SESP assistant professor Mesmin Destin's finding that poor students — but not affluent students — who learned about financial aid reported that they would study more and were more likely to consider college.
Emma Adam in Pacific Standard: 'Health Toll of Schoolyard Racism'
An article about the damaging health effects of racial discrimination cites Emma Adam's research showing discrimination during adolescence can produce long-lasting negative health effects by altering the body's natural cortisol rhythms.
Lindsay Chase-Lansdale: Today's Two-Generation Programs to Combat Child Poverty
Pacific Standard reports professor Lindsay Chase-Lansdale's research on two-generation programs. "To more effectively redirect low-income children's lives, programs should simultaneously target the child and the child's home environment," she says.
Ending Mass Incarceration in the United States
SESP assistant professor Heather Schoenfeld is investigating why states are seeking prison reform and how these efforts might help the U.S. reverse mass incarceration.
Simone Ispa-Landa in U.S. News: Academia's 'Baby Penalty'
Men fare better in academia than women -- especially women who have children, Simone Ispa-Landa and Sandra Waxman write in U.S. News.
Seattle Times: Kirabo Jackson's Study First to Show Long-Term Impact of School Spending
SESP associate professor Kirabo Jackson is the lead author of a study that is the first to show the long-term effects of school spending.
Courier Quotes Diane Schanzenbach: 'Class Size Matters'
The Louisville Courier-Journal quotes SESP associate professor Diane Schanzenbach, who has researched the long-term effects of small classes and says there is evidence that class size matters, but the question is just how much.
SESP Researchers Undertake Adolescent Stress Study in Dominica
Dominica News reports that postdoctoral researcher Royette Tavernier, who works with professor Emma Adam, is conducting a study to assess stress, coping, health and resilience among youth in Dominica after tropical storm Erika.
Forbes Features Dan McAdams on Importance of Struggle, Redemption in Life Slories
Forbes magazine describes SESP professor Dan McAdams's book The Stories We Live By in an article about the importance of struggle and redemption in life stories of business leaders. McAdams's book explores how internal narratives form our identity.
Diane Schanzenbach on White House Panel: Food Stamp Program 'Investment, Not Charity'
The federal food stamp program has a strong impact on health, education and economic self-sufficiency, according to leading economist Diane Schanzenbach, who presented at a White House panel on child hunger.
Diane Schanzenbach: 'Do Food Stamps Really Discourage Work?'
Paceific Standard quotes SESP professor Diane Schanzenbach, who is skeptical that SNAP benefits today provide much in the way of work disincentives for healthy, childless adults.
Emma Adam on WGBH: 'How Discrimination Affects Your Hormone Levels'
SESP professor Emma Adam discovered a link between cortisol levels and experiences with racism that showed the long-term effect of being discriminated against as a teenager.
Education Week Recognizes New Education Research Center Co-Led by Cynthia Coburn, Jim Spillane
Education Week notes that the Institute of Education Sciences has launched the five-year, $5 million National Center for Research in Policy and Practice, co-led by SESP professors Cynthia Coburn and Jim Spillane, "to study how research works its way into instructional decisions and education policies."
Washington Post Reports Jon Guryan's Lottery Research: 'No Lucky Stores'
There is no such thing as a "lucky" lottery store, although associate professor Jon Guryan's study found lottery sales jump as much as 38 percent at stores selling winning tickets.
Independent Quotes David Figlio on Nebraska's School Choice Bill
As Nebraska considers a bill designed to increase educational choice that provides tax credits for low- and moderate-income families, the Grand Island Independent quotes SESP professor David Figlio as saying the bill’s income eligibility rules are relatively generous.
Jim Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee, Kirabo Jackson Named to Edu-Scholar Top 200
School of Education and Social Policy professors James Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee and Kirabo Jackson were named to the Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for 2016.