Research News Archive

Research News Archive

(Re) Building Education: What Can Other Countries Tell Us?

(Re) Building Education: What Can Other Countries Tell Us?

Northwestern University’s James Spillane received a $70,700 Spencer Foundation grant to study how other countries are rebuilding their education systems following the COVID-19 pandemic.

SESP in the Media: May 2023

SESP in the Media: May 2023

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

AERA Comes to Chicago

AERA Comes to Chicago

Education scholars will discuss everything from the wave of legislation banning critical race theory and opportunity landscaping to the QuitTok phenomenon among teachers during the American Educational Research Association’s 2023 annual meeting from April 13 to 16 in Chicago.

Meet SESP's Newest Faculty Member: Sneha Kumar

Meet SESP's Newest Faculty Member: Sneha Kumar

Sneha Kumar, a social demographer whose research explores health inequalities across the life course in some of the most populous countries in the world–including Indonesia, India, China, and Brazil– has joined Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as an assistant professor of human development and social policy.

New Research: Navigating the Risks of Party Rape

New Research: Navigating the Risks of Party Rape

Women who have experienced sexual violence at fraternity parties have often been blamed for what happened to them. But new research on an elite college campus found that it’s becoming less common to fault the victim.

Doctoral Student Wins DevSci Fellowship

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.

SESP in the Media: March 2023

SESP in the Media: March 2023

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

Off You Go: A Routine for Culturally Responsive Math

Off You Go: A Routine for Culturally Responsive Math

A visually rich mathematical routine for teachers leverages a child’s background and helps students build bridges between school math and culture, according to an article co-authored by assistant professor Jen Munson.

Mesmin Destin: Messages That Can Change a Child’s Life   

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.

SESP in the Media: January 2023

SESP in the Media: January 2023

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

Researchers Develop Novel Way to Assess DEI Programs   

Researchers Develop Novel Way to Assess DEI Programs  

A systematic planning tool called “change mapping” can help analyze whether complex diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or initiatives are working, according to new research by Northwestern University alumna Jue Wu (PhD21).

What if Parents Designed Education Systems?

What if Parents Designed Education Systems?

A new report co-authored by Northwestern University professor James Spillane explores the benefits of building education systems that develop the “whole” child and use the same rigor and comprehensive care that a parent might invest in their own offspring.

McAdams’ New Book Puts The ‘Person’ Back into Personality

McAdams’ New Book Puts The ‘Person’ Back into Personality

The latest book by Northwestern University’s Dan P. McAdams brings personality psychology alive by combining cutting edge research with the personal stories of more than two dozen celebrities, writers, entrepreneurs, and other notable figures.

New Grant Assesses Ending the Subminimum Wage

New Grant Assesses Ending the Subminimum Wage

Northwestern University economist Michelle Yin has received a $4.29 million grant from the US Department of Education to assess a Virginia intervention designed to end the practice of paying less than the minimum wage to people with disabilities.

Schwandt’s Research Finds Pandemic ‘Baby Bump’

Schwandt’s Research Finds Pandemic ‘Baby Bump’

Working from home may have boosted fertility among college-educated women, according to a new National Bureau of Economic Research working paper co-authored by Northwestern University economist Hannes Schwandt.

Making Science More Meaningful

Making Science More Meaningful

Northwestern University researchers and their partners received a $7.5 million grant to develop an innovative research-based science curriculum for elementary school classrooms, supported by professional learning resources for teachers.

SESP in the Media: October 2022

SESP in the Media: October 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

SESP in the Media: September 2022

SESP in the Media: September 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

Muskin, Stein Win Honorable Mention in Essay Contest

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.

Researchers Study Evanston’s Guaranteed Income Program

Researchers Study Evanston’s Guaranteed Income Program

A team of graduate students is examining the impact of new guaranteed income program, a joint initiative between the University and the City of Evanston to address economic insecurity.

What Happens When More Four-Year-Olds Attend Preschool?

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.

SESP in the Media: August 2022

SESP in the Media: August 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

SESP in the Media: July 2022

SESP in the Media: July 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

SESP Students, Alumni Win Spencer Fellowships

SESP Students, Alumni Win Spencer Fellowships

Northwestern University’s Jessica Marshall, a doctoral student in the learning sciences program, and two School of Education and Social Policy alumni were among the 35 scholars who received 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships.

Lifelong Learners Earn Doctorates

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.

Meet SESP’s 2022 Senior Honors Students

Meet SESP’s 2022 Senior Honors Students

Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy honors students were recognized for rigorous and relevant scholarship by interim Dean Dan P. McAdams, Professor David Rapp, Assistant Dean Susan Olson and faculty members during a ceremony and poster presentation session.

 Uttal Wins Research Translation Award

Uttal Wins Research Translation Award

David Uttal received the 2022 International Mind, Brain and Education Society’s translation award for his work strengthening the links between research and practice in both schools and informal contexts such as museums and community centers.

SESP Welcomes First Early Career Visiting Scholars

SESP Welcomes First Early Career Visiting Scholars

Scholars Sofia Bahena and Camila Morales have been named the inaugural early career visiting fellows at Northwestern University's Center for Education Efficacy, Excellence, and Equity (E4) during the 2022-23 academic year.

The Future of Music: Making Beats With Code

The Future of Music: Making Beats With Code

A new book by Northwestern University professor Mike Horn offers a powerful new way to create music that can be linked with digital production tools of the future.

SESP in the Media: May 2022

SESP in the Media: May 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

SESP in the Media: April 2022

SESP in the Media: April 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

Halverson: Using the Arts to Fix a Broken System

Halverson: Using the Arts to Fix a Broken System

Alumna Erica Halverson’s new book “How the Arts Can Save Education” is, strangely enough, not about arts education. Instead, Halverson uses arts practices to fundamentally rethink how “learning” should be measured and to design learning environments and experiences that can serve all kids.

Faculty Contribute to New IES Report on Future of Ed Research

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.

Scholars at AERA Explore Equitable Education

Scholars at AERA Explore Equitable Education

Northwestern University’s Carol Lee will address one of the most hotly debated and contentious issues in education–how schools should teach–during the American Educational Research Association’s 2022 annual meeting from April 21 to 26 in San Diego.

How to Give Kids 'Math Worth Doing'

How to Give Kids 'Math Worth Doing'

When Jen Munson and her team launched an ambitious new website to support elementary school math teachers during the pandemic, they never dreamed they’d be reaching people from 65 countries on six continents.

SESP in the Media: March 2022

SESP in the Media: March 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

 Nuamah’s Paper Wins Second Award

Nuamah’s Paper Wins Second Award

Sally Nuamah received the Rodney Higgins Best Faculty Paper Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists for her work highlighting the link between the ‘adultification’ of Black girls and public support for their punishment.

Why You Should Savor Fleeting Moments of Joy

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.

Are New Teachers Ready to Teach?

Are New Teachers Ready to Teach?

Kavita Kapadia Matsko’s research looking at three different ways to consider new teacher readiness for the classroom received the Journal of Teacher Education’s 2022 Article of the Year.

SESP in the Media: February 2022

SESP in the Media: February 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the news media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

Meet SESP's Newest PhD's

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.

Training Future K-5 Teachers in STEM

Training Future K-5 Teachers in STEM

Professor Megan Bang and alumna Carrie Tzou (PhD08) received a $1.8 million National Science Foundation grant to better prepare aspiring elementary school teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Six Scholars Named as Nation’s Most Influential

Six Scholars Named as Nation’s Most Influential

Six Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy faculty members were named to Education Week’s annual list of 200 influential academics in education policy. The scholars are among the top in their fields and were selected for moving academic research findings into the national conversation.

SESP in the Media: January 2022

SESP in the Media: January 2022

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the news media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.

Test Page

Test Page

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.

Making an Impact: Faculty Research Named Year's Best

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.”

Vossoughi Promoted to Associate Professor

Vossoughi Promoted to Associate Professor

Northwestern University’s Shirin Vossoughi, a learning scientist best known for her work studying culture, equity, social relations, and learning in a range of educational environments, has been promoted to associate professor of learning sciences at the School of Education and Social Policy.

Lam Honored for Immigration Research

Lam Honored for Immigration Research

School of Education and Social Policy Professor Eva Lam and her coauthors received the Alan C. Purves Award from the National Council of Teachers of English for their research looking at what happens when young people tell their own immigration stories through documentary filmmaking.

Here’s How Black Communities Responded to School Closures

Here’s How Black Communities Responded to School Closures

Black Chicagoans who lived near a school that was shuttered during the largest wave of public-school closures in US history became more politically active and held their local officials accountable, according to a new Northwestern University study coauthored by professor Sally Nuamah.

SESP in the Media: November 2021

SESP in the Media: November 2021

An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the news media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.