The Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) supports rigorous research and training across social, behavioral, educational, policy, communication, and health sciences. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary research, IHDSC works to bridge the disconnect between the science of human development and policies and practices that affect children, youth, and families in diverse contexts.
IHDSC represents a dynamic collaboration among three NYU schools: Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; Faculty of Arts and Science; and Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Toward an Inclusive Future: Research, Policy, and Practice for Equity in Education
We invite you to join the upcoming "Toward an Inclusive Future: Research, Policy, and Practice for Equity in Education'' conference to share experiences, discuss strategies, and generate new approaches to promote inclusivity and equity in education.
Learn More and Register for the Conference
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.
Unraveling Inequality, Expanding Opportunity
Inequality is prevalent in health, education, justice, and technology — in our own backyard and around the globe. Enriching opportunities that engender positive outcomes are distributed inequitably to children and youth in our communities. To bring groundbreaking, rigorous research and collaborative engagement to bear on this challenge, the Institute’s theme is “Unraveling Inequality, Expanding Opportunity.”
What does this mean for the year ahead?
Latest News & Updates
BlackCreate Framework: Dr. Lauren Mims Illustrates How Effective Black Creative Educational Experiences Create Space for Creative Expression and Education
In their article, Dr. Lauren Mims, assistant professor of applied psychology, and colleagues illustrate how effective Black creative educational experiences create fugitive spaces for creative expression and education.
NYU Global TIES for Children Finds Substantial Impact from Groundbreaking Ahlan Simsim Initiative Combining Educational Media and Early Childhood Services
New research from NYU Global TIES for Children finds substantial impact on children’s language, numeracy, and social-emotional development from Ahlan Simsim programs.
Siwei Cheng Selected for William T. Grant Scholars Class of 2028
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Siwei Cheng, Associate Professor of Sociology at NYU and IHDSC Faculty Affiliate, has been selected for the William T. Grant Scholars Class of 2028.
Researchers Launch Database with New Classification System for Minority-Serving Institutions in US
The MSI Data Project seeks to counter inaccurate and inconsistent MSI data used by federal agencies and researchers.
Treatment-to-Prison Pipeline: The Role of Residential Treatment Centers in Exacerbating Race and Gender Inequities, New Paper by Dr. Shabnam Javdani
In their study, the authors examine the role and function of RTCs in creating or exacerbating race and gender inequities under the guise of mental health. They examine patterns that implicate the logic that treatment intentions justify children’s confinement and expose evidence linking RTCs with a potential treatment-to-prison pipeline.
NYU Justice and Belonging Hub’s Launch Event Brings Together Interdisciplinary Faculty to Advance Equity in Development, Education, and Society
On Thursday, March 9th, faculty and scholars across NYU Steinhardt came together to celebrate the launch of the Justice and Belonging in Development and Education Hub.
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.
CONNECT
The CONNECT lab at NYU conducts research to understand and strengthen contexts for learning and mental health in low-income education settings. We study natural opportunities for academic, social, and emotional learning via productive relationships and quality interactions.
IES-PIRT
For over a decade, IHDSC and faculty from seven NYU academic units have trained incoming and advanced doctoral students from diverse backgrounds to become outstanding researchers in the educational sciences.
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
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.
NYC’s Salary Transparency Law: What the Research Says
We spoke with Dr. Siwei Cheng, Associate Professor of Sociology in NYU’s School of Arts & Science and IHDSC faculty affiliate, about NYC's Salary Transparency Law's impact on labor market negotiations and improving equity in wage distributions in NYC for this On the Ground blog post.
What’s in the Water? Positive Parenting & the History of Attachment Theory
Many positive parenting practices, core to contemporary parenting programs, are derived from attachment theory. This On the Ground blog post offers insight into attachment theory and its linkage to parenting and child development.
A Message to the Mayor
We tapped the expertise of our faculty affiliates for research insights the Adams’ administration should leverage to inform decisions in New York City.
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