The Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) at New York University (NYU) aims to break new ground through support for rigorous research and training across social, behavioral, educational, policy, and health sciences. We cultivate an intellectual community focused on issues related to poverty and inequality, education and child development, health and wellbeing, and social policy in local, national, and global contexts. A joint initiative of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Wagner School of Public Service, Faculty of Arts and Science, and Office of the Provost, IHDSC brings together over 70 faculty and hundreds of students and staff with the goals of knowledge creation (research), knowledge transmission (education), and knowledge utilization (policy and practice).

Through collaborative research and targeted dissemination, a central goal is to bridge the disconnect between the science of human development and policies and practices that affect children, youth, adults, and families in local and global contexts.