The Institute of Human Development and Social Change's (IHDSC) mission is to inspire, support, and amplify innovative and equity-driven scholarly research through excellence in individualized grant administration and research development, community engagement, and the promotion of evidence-based research products. By prioritizing principles of social equity, collaboration, and interdisciplinarity, we strive to stimulate social impact locally and globally.
IHDSC represents a dynamic collaboration among four NYU schools: Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; Faculty of Arts and Science; Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service; and School of Professional Studies.
Latest News & Updates
Global TIES Hosts ‘Early Childhood Matters’ Launch Event
Attendees from NYU, multilateral development banks, and early childhood NGOs and foundations discussed parental support initiatives.
Dr. Sudha Arunachalam Receives Prestigious Prize
Arunachalam's prize supported a 6-month stay in Germany to conduct research and collaborate with colleagues at the University of Potsdam and beyond.
Lauren Mims and Kyle Morris Win 2025 MLK Awards
As part of the 20th Annual MLK Week at NYU, the University recognized exceptional faculty, staff, and administrators who embody the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dedication to inclusivity and justice.
Screen Time News Captures Parents’ Attention Using a Combination of Science and Sensationalism
Researchers from NYU Steinhardt's Department of Teaching and Learning found that negative articles and articles on younger children were among the most shared.
Open-Source Data Package: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) have provided critical information as to levels and trends in key areas of adolescent health and well-being nationally. To ensure continued access to such data, we developed an open-source data package that cleans and stores YRBSS data from 2015 to 2023.
Study Links Rising Suicidality Among Teen Girls to Increase in Identifying as LGBQ
Research from Professor of Economics and Education Policy Joseph Cimpian suggests that a larger proportion of female students are experiencing the pressures felt by LGBQ youth
Select Projects
Global TIES for Children
Global TIES for Children is an international research center at New York University dedicated to designing, evaluating and advising on programs and policies to improve the lives of children and youth in the most vulnerable regions across the globe.
Creating New Paths to Success
The Path Program is an inclusion model that creates new paths to success for students who can benefit from focused emotional and behavioral support, specifically those who have the potential to be classified as having emotional disabilities.
ARCADIA
ARCADIA for Suicide Prevention takes a developmentally-informed, population-health approach to adolescent suicide. With the prediction of adolescent suicide barely better than chance, researchers focus on the places where adolescents already are (schools, primary care) and leverage trusted sources of support (peers, parents, trusted adults).
Systems Aligning For Equity
The aim of SAFE Spaces (formerly RISC) is to examine the setting-level characteristics and processes that occur in child welfare settings and explore their association with outcomes for youth.
Recent Blogs
Co-regulation Strategies in Schools: How Educators Can Support Students’ Learning
In this blog post, we share three core strategies: feeling thermometers, calm corners, and breathing strategies—that are typically used in schools to support both students’ ability to self-regulate and educators’ ability to co-regulate with their students.
Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education for Students with Emotional Disabilities
The phrase “culturally responsive” is increasingly used within educational settings today – but what does it mean to be culturally responsive in school contexts, particularly for students with emotional disabilities (EDs)?
AI Across Sectors: Bridging Technology and Peacebuilding
On September 24th, NYU's Peace Research and Education Program (PREP) hosted an event that brought together experts from diverse fields to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, global development, and peacebuilding.
How to Build Strong Family-School Partnerships
Building strong partnerships between families and schools is essential for fostering a consistent and supportive learning environment for students. In this blog post, Christine Park shares key strategies for creating a welcoming and collaborative relationship with families, and how to sustain these partnerships throughout the school year.
Top 10 Tips for Starting the School Year Strong
The beginning of the school year is a crucial time for teachers to set the tone for a successful academic year and journey, for students, families, school staff, and themselves. Check out our top 10 tips for starting the school year strong!
Beyond the Data: Humanizing Research through Photography
Photographing communities, particularly low income neighborhoods that are too often associated with negative stereotypes, come with the added responsibility of telling their authentic stories with compassion, strength, and beauty. In this blog, Hira Hasson pairs street photography with research to bring a new dimension to traditional research projects.
For Researchers
IHDSC supports rigorous research and training, cultivating research through seed awards, working groups, and individualized grant support from conception through closeout.
For Partners
IHDSC partners with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to conduct research, develop training, and create mutually beneficial opportunities for networking and professional development.
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