IHDSC News and Updates

Fall 2024

IHDSC Hosts Our Stories, Our Solutions: A Summit on Transformative Solutions for Economic Equity

On October 16-18th, IHDSC hosted Our Stories, Our Solutions: A Summit on Transformative Solutions for Economic Equity in New York City. The summit brought together peers, parents, community leaders, practitioners, advocates, and researchers from across the country who are committed to improving the lives of children and families in the United States.

Jeannette Beasley Receives NYU Grant for Diabetes Prevention Research

The funding will support adapting a successful New-York based prevention program for patients in the United Arab Emirates.

Institute of Education Sciences Awards $2 million Grant to NYU for Path Program Research

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, has awarded New York University (NYU), in partnership with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), a four-year, $2 million grant. This funding will support the adaptation of the Path Program for upper elementary grades and evaluate its impact on students, school staff, and families.

Early Academic Success Does Not Lead to Increased STEM College Enrollment for Black and Latine Students

A study from Associate Professor of International Education Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng finds that White English-speaking students are the only group with a positive relationship between STEM aptitude and STEM college enrollment.

Educators and Parents Reveal Culture of Fear, Censorship, and Loss of Learning Opportunities in the Wake of Florida Policies

A new study finds that “education restriction” policies reduce opportunities and support offered in public schools, even without parents’ knowledge.

Rezarta Bilali Finds Social Messaging in Soap Operas Can Prevent Violence

An analysis of experiments with radio and TV dramas across the world show the positive effects of narrative interventions in shaping norms and raising awareness of social issues.

Emotional Disability and Occupational Therapy: A Conversation with Michelle Flemen-Tung

Michelle Flemen-Tung, Program Director of Path Practice Team, was recently featured on OT Potential’s podcast discussion, where she shared practical insights on enhancing OT practices to better support children with emotional disabilities.

Nourish and Restore: IHDSC’s Collective Care Initiative

Throughout the Spring and Summer of 2024, the Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) implemented its new Collective Care Initiative with installments of Nourish and Restore sessions. These sessions supported our staff’s mental, social, and physical well-being through meditation, communication, yoga, and more classes.

Larry Aber Steps Down as Co-Director of Global TIES

Aber co-founded the global research center for children’s learning and development in 2014.

Global TIES Announces New Director: Florencia Lopez Boo

Florencia Lopez Boo has worked with the Inter-American Development Bank on the design, implementation, and evaluation of early childhood development, social protection, and health programs for 15 years.

New Book from Shamari Reid: Humans Who Teach

Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning Shamari Reid asks teachers to surrender their superhero capes in his new book on love, justice, and liberation in schools.

Black High School Students Less Likely to Enroll in AP Math Courses Than White Students with Similar Academic Preparedness, Study Finds

Steinhardt researchers found that although 24% of white students in New York City high schools enroll in at least one AP mathematics course by the end of high school, only 13% of Black students do so.

IHDSC’s Collective Care Initiative Brings Together Researchers and Scholars to Reflect on Wellness and Build Community Connections

The Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) has recently launched a new initiative, Nourish & Restore: IHDSC’s Collective Care Initiative, that aims to bring members of the IHDSC community together to reflect on the experience of our workplace culture and find ways to center wellness and nurturing of our “whole selves.”

Power In Our Truths: Girls & Gender-Expansive Young People of Color on the Impact of COVID-19

This report provided fresh insight into the experiences, coping strategies, and disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the lives of girls and gender-expansive young people of color ages 14-30.

New York City Public Schools Chancellor Visits the Path Program

IHDSC’s Path Program partnership reached another milestone on Monday, January 22, 2024, when New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor, David C. Banks, made a special visit to observe the NYCPS Specialized Program at I.S. 219 New Venture School.

Power in Our Truths: Girls and Gender-Expansive Young People of Color Speak Truth About How Videos of Police Brutality Detrimentally Affect Their Mental Health

In this report, a team of Women of Color researchers and scholar-activists partner with the Justice + Joy National Collaborative to share the perspectives and experiences of girls and gender-expansive young people of color on the impact of the virality of violent videos.

Two Applied Psychology Faculty Named Most Impactful Education Scholars

Hirokazu Yoshikawa and Joshua Aronson appeared at #85 and #99, respectively, in the 2024 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.

Online Food Shopping Exploded during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Can It Catch On with Bodegas?

Research by assistant professor of nutrition Angela Trude reveals that Bronx bodega owners and customers are excited about online shopping but say cost, technology, and trust are barriers.

IHDSC Fall 2023 Award Announcements

We invite you to join us in celebrating the recent funding awards received by members of our community. We are thrilled to provide support to these talented and impactful research teams that share our commitment to unraveling inequality and expanding opportunity.

Preventing Adolescent Suicide: Recommendations for Policymakers, Practitioners, Program Developers, and Researchers

Dr. Pamela Morris-Perez led the new Social Policy Report (SPR) published yesterday in the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). Together with co-authors Rachel Abenavoli, Adam Benzekri, Sarah Rosenbach-Jordan and Gianna Rose Boccieri, the report reviews evidence for suicide prevention strategies designed to address rising trends in adolescent suicide and offers recommendations for policy, practice, program development, and research.

Power in Our Truths: Girls and Gender-Expansive Young People of Color Envisioning Future Free from Police Violence

In the report, Power in Our Truths: Girls and Gender-Expansive Young People of Color Envisioning Future Free from Police Violence, a team of Women of Color researchers and scholar-activists partner with the Justice + Joy National Collaborative to share the perspectives and experiences of girls and gender-expansive young people of color of police violence and the broader criminal legal system.

Case Study on Multilingualism in Classrooms Shows Acts of Care and Solidarity as Well as Exclusion, Aggression

New research led by Associate Professor of Language Education Kongji Qin outlined the various ways that translanguaging pedagogy can be used in a classroom.

Latest Publications from IHDSC Affiliates: Narrative Media Interventions, Discrimination and Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and High School Experiences of High Achieving Black Girls

Check out three new publications from IHDSC scholarly affiliates. The publications look at Narrative Media Interventions (Dr. Rezarta Bilali), Discrimination and Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Dr. Stephanie Cook), and High School Experiences of High Achieving Black Girls (Dr. Lauren Mims).

New Research-Practice-Partnership with the Inspired Community Project

IHDSC is pleased to announce a new research partnership with Dr. Anil Chacko, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology, and the Inspired Community Project.

IHDSC Summer 2023 Award Announcements

We invite you to join us in celebrating the recent awards received by members of our community. We are thrilled to provide support to these talented and impactful research teams that share our commitment to unraveling inequality and expanding opportunity.

"Inside the Arab Classroom": A New Podcast Series Exploring the Dynamic Landscape of Education in the Arab World

NYU’s Global TIES for Children and afikra are pleased to announce the launch of "Inside the Arab Classroom," a new podcast series that explores education traditions and innovations within Arabic-speaking nations.

Supporting New York City’s Early Childhood Educators in a Global Pandemic: Challenges, Innovations, and Implications for Professional Learning

Researchers from NYU Steinhardt partnered with the NYC Public Schools’ Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) to examine professional learning (PL) experiences of New York City (NYC) early childhood educators during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021).

Analysis Shows Rise and Fall of Angry, Fearful Tweets with Passage and Implementation of Philadelphia Beverage Tax

Researchers found posts about the tax shifted from anger to acceptance, reflecting factors including media coverage and lawsuits.

Erin Godfrey Advances Theory and Practice on Critical Consciousness in Two Recently Released Co-Edited Books

Dr. Erin Godfrey released two books in the Contemporary Social Issues Series with Dr. Luke J. Rapa of Clemson University on critical consciousness.

IHDSC Spring 2023 Award Announcements

Luis A. Rodriguez Selected as a 2023 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Luis A. Rodriguez, Assistant Professor of Education Leadership and Policy Studies in the Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology, has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship!

A Ruling Against Affirmative Action in College Admissions Shouldn’t Affect Other Diversity Efforts on Campus, Researchers Say

NYU Steinhardt education experts warn against an excessively broad interpretation of any decision prohibiting the consideration of an applicant’s race.

NYU Peace Research and Education Program joins the Institute of Human Development and Social Change

We are thrilled to welcome the Peace Research and Education Program (PREP) as the newest affiliate in the Institute of Human Development and Social Chance (IHDSC) network!

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.

Trust, Strong Family Ties, and Effective Leadership in Pre-K Can Mitigate Inequality for Black, Latine Children

Researchers say positive school climate plays key factor in reducing disparities in pre-K quality.

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.

Minoritized and Economically Disadvantaged Students are Less Likely to be Exposed to High-quality Teachers, New Study by Luis Rodriguez

There is continued concern over the inequitable distribution of highly experienced and effective teachers among historically marginalized student populations. The authors use longitudinal data from Tennessee to assess whether students of racially/ethnically minoritized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds have unequal exposure to teachers based on alternate definitions of teaching quality.

Understanding Settings for Early Childhood Socialization: New Research Brief by Global TIES for Children's Play to Learn Team

NYU Global TIES for Children (NYU-TIES), an international research center embedded within NYU's IHDSC, has launched their sixth research brief, Understanding Settings for Early Childhood Socialization: Evidence from the Rohingya Camps, from their Play to Learn (PtL) program.

Charlton McIlwain Discusses the Consequences of AI Technology, Social Systemic and Structural Change Needed First

Dr. Charlton McIlwain recently joined the Zócalo Public Square and Future Tense for an important panel discussion, “How Has Computer Code Shaped Humanity?”

New Research by Stephanie Cook on Place-based Negative Racial Sentiment and its Impact on the Mental Well-being of Young Sexual Minority Men

In this paper, the research team investigates how the cultural milieu that influences place, institutions, and policies, can be examined through the lived experience of individuals using geo-spacial devices and social media data.

Citizen Science: A New Study on Understanding the Language of Science through a Participatory Experiment by Sudha Arunachalam

Dr. Sudha Arunachalam’s recent study on ‘citizen science’, an approach to research that involves the public in scientific research and measurement, has been accepted for publication in March’s volume of Language: Teaching Linguistics.

Recent Award Announcements at IHDSC

Disrupting the School-Prison Nexus in New York

Steinhardt researchers partner with NYU Law students to support children experiencing exclusionary discipline.

Two NYU Steinhardt Faculty Named Top Education Scholars

Hirokazu Yoshikawa and Joshua Aronson appeared at #51 and #107, respectively, of the 2023 RHSU Edu-Scholar Rankings.

Path Program Named in NYC DOE Chancellor's Plan to Improve Special Education Programs

DOE School’s Chancellor David Banks has pledged to make a $205 million dollar investment to expand several programs for students with disabilities, including autism, intensive sensory needs, and emotional disabilities. One of the valued programs that will be expanded is the “Path” program.

Study Finds NYC Health Inspectors Gave Only Asian Restaurants Higher Number of Citations at Start of Pandemic

In January and February of 2020, Asian restaurants in New York City were the only type of cuisine to see an increase in citations.

New Study by Ajay Chaudry on the Link Between Changes to the Public Charge Rule and Health of Mothers and Infants

Ajay Chaudry, research scholar at NYU IHDSC and Wagner, collaborated with Scarlett Sijia Wang, Sherry Glied, and Claudia Babcock on a recently released paper, “Changes in the Public Charge Rule and Health of Mothers and Infants Enrolled in New York State’s Medicaid Program, 2014‒2019,” in the American Journal of Public Health.

Understanding Algorithmic Discrimination: New Resources from the Center for Critical Race + Digital Studies

The Center for Critical Race + Digital Studies (CR+DS) recently released new resources that dispel the overflow of myths about machine learning, its assumed objectivity, and false claims of race- and value-neutral operationalizations in the digital space.

New Publication by Sumie Okazaki on the Diversity of COVID-19 Stressors, Discrimination, and Mental Health among Asian American Communities

Sumie Okazaki, professor of applied psychology and IHDSC faculty affiliate, recently published, “Disaggregating the data: Diversity of COVID-19 stressors, discrimination, and mental health among Asian American communities,” in Frontiers in Public Health.

Educational Alliance’s SHARP Impact Study Investigates the Temporarily Expanded Child Tax Credit

The Educational Alliance, a long standing partner of IHDSC, collaborated with the United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) and the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) to launch the Settlement House American Rescue Plan (SHARP) Impact Study.

Hirokazu Yoshikawa Named for the National Board for Education Sciences by President Biden

President Biden indicated his intent to appoint Hirokazu Yoshikawa for the National Board for Education Sciences. The duties of the board’s 15 members include advising the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences.

New Research Brief by Global TIES for Children's Play to Learn Team

Global TIES researchers show that through analyses of instruments measuring caregivers' perceptions of refugee camp environment, caregiver mental health, and children's social-emotional development, there are reasons for optimism in using these particular scales with the Rohingya community in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

Two New Publications by Shamari Reid on Agency and Inclusivity of Black LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools and Lessons from NYC’s Ballroom Culture

Shamari Reid, assistant professor of teaching and learning, has recently published two articles on the agency and inclusivity of Black LGBTQ+ youth in schools and lessons from NYC’s ballroom culture.

New Publication by Janet Njelesani on the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Qualitative Health Research

Janet Njelesani, assistant professor of occupational therapy and IHDSC faculty affiliate, has recently published an article in PLOS One titled “Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Qualitative Health Research, ” with Vongai Mlambo, Tsendenia Denekew, and Jean Hunleth.

New Publication by Paula Chakravartty on the Politics of Reforming Global Labor Supply Chains

Paula Chakravartty, Associate Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at NYU Steinhardt and Gallatin and IHDSC Faculty Affiliate, recently published, “From Indenture to ‘Good Governance’: eMigrate and the Politics of Reforming Global Labour Supply Chains,” in Antipode with Michelle Buckley and Sahiba Gill.

Doctoral Student Recognized as an Inaugural Member of Mental Health Advocates of Tomorrow by Hinge

Raquel Rose, PhD student in the NYU Steinhardt Counseling Psychology program, has been awarded a position in the inaugural cohort of Mental Health Advocates of Tomorrow by dating app Hinge.

Recent Award Announcements at IHDSC

The IHDSC Faculty and Research Affiliate community leverages interdisciplinary expertise and partnerships in education, health and healthcare, social and human development, economics, and more to create new knowledge and influence meaningful social change. We invite you to join us in celebrating the recent awards received by our affiliate community.

IHDSC Awarded Grant to Launch Collaborative Working Group to Study Economic Inclusion and Family Health and Wellbeing

The Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) has received funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to launch a collaborative working group.

NYU Steinhardt and Silver Awarded NIMH Grant to Study a System of Care for Black Youth at Risk for Suicide

NYU Steinhardt and Silver awarded a five-year, $5.8 million R01 research grant from the NIMH to implement and study the effectiveness of a system of care for Black youth that combines suicide risk screening with an intervention to help connect at-risk youth to quality mental health services.

Combating Inequality in Education

At IHDSC, an interdisciplinary approach to education and child development allows us to support children, families, teachers, and leaders. This newsletter looks closely at research in education, our recent conference on research-practice partnerships, and spotlights some of the incredible work from our faculty affiliates.

In Solidarity Conversations: A YPAR Approach to Research-Practice Partnerships

Incoming Assistant Professor of Applied Psychology and the Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) Faculty Affiliate, Dr. Lauren C. Mims, partnered with the National Crittenton and the National Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives (National YWI) to produce an incredible report on their In Solidarity Conversations.

New Study Shows Racial, Gender Discrepancies in Special Education Services

A new study shows that racism and sexism shape the decisions that teachers make when trying to find the best way to support their students.

Department of Teaching and Learning’s Kongji Qin Published in Urban Education

Data shows that so-called “Tiger parenting” is often parents’ attempt to circumvent racism against Chinese students.

Study Comparing Urban and Migrant Parents in Shanghai Finds That Migrant Parents Have More Effective Parenting Practices

A study led by Associate Professor Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng suggests that that migrant parenting practices have a greater impact on children’s academic performance.

Two NYU Steinhardt Professors Selected as 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellows

Professors Alejandro Ganimian and Kongji Qin are among the 25 fellows selected.

Dr. Natalie Hiromi Brito named a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar

Congratulations to Dr. Natalie Hiromi Brito, Assistant Professor of Applied Psychology and IHDSC Faculty Affiliate, for being chosen as a fellow in the seventh cohort of CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars.

Roslyn Sandy Awarded the Steinhardt Distinguished Professional Researcher Award

Congratulations to Roslyn Sandy at the Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) for winning the Steinhardt Distinguished Professional Researcher Award at this year’s Steinhardt Recognition Event.

Prioritizing Education in the Midst of Crisis

J. Larry Aber, NYU Steinhardt Willner Family Professor of Psychology and Public Policy and Ha Yeon Kim, a senior researcher at Global TIES for Children, discuss how to mitigate the disruptions to children’s education in crisis-affected countries.

IHDSC Partner YWFC Releases Promising Report on their Supportive Housing Program

The Institute of Human Development and Social Change is excited to share Young Women’s Freedom Center’s latest report, Reflecting on YWFC's COVID Emergency Housing Program, which details the implementation and impact of their radical, dignity- and self-determination-centered supportive housing program.

New Award: Path Program to Create "Paths to Success" for NYC Students

The Institute for Human Development and Social Change is pleased to announce a new award from the New York Community Trust through the Fund for Public Schools to pilot a whole school inclusion model for students with, and at risk for, an emotional disturbance classification.

Dr. Hiro Yoshikawa and Andrew Nalani Contribute to Special Journal on Social Science and Inequality

Dr. Hiro Yoshikawa (NYU Steinhardt) and doctoral candidate Andrew Nalani contributed to a Socius Journal special collection focusing on the role of social science in responding to inequality.

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