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On the Ground

IHDSC's blog for "putting research to work"

On the Ground is the official blog of the Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC). 

Faculty, staff, and student contributors use Q&As, op-eds, research reports, and other accessible formats to provide practice-ready and policy-relevant information about research findings in the following four domains: education and child development; race, poverty, and inequality; health and well-being; and justice and welfare systems. The goal is to speak to all sides of the research-practice-policy divide. On the Ground also highlights how research, policy, and practice partnerships can address the many pressing social issues we face, both domestically and globally. 

Recent Stories

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.

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.

Partnership Spotlight

Research Partnerships: Mentte Cedat and Dr. Anil Chacko

Mentte Cedat, a Mexico-based organization that works with adolescents and policy makers to prevent violence, partners with IHDSC affiliate and NYU Steinhardt Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology Dr. Anil Chacko. IHDSC sat down with them to discuss the work of Mentte Cedat and the benefits of their partnership.

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Q&A: Young Women's Freedom Center and Dr. Shabnam Javdani

On the Ground interviewed Young Women's Freedom Center executive Director Jessica Nowlan and NYU Steinhardt professor Dr. Shabnam Javdani about the role of their research and partnership in working with girls, young women, and TGNC young people towards decriminalization, decarceration, abolition, and reimagining the juvenile justice system response.

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Research Partnerships: IHDSC and Educational Alliance

IHDSC interviewed Drs. Erin Godfrey (director of IHDSC and associate professor of Applied Psychology at NYU Steinhardt) and Andrew Cavanagh (director of Research and Evaluation at Educational Alliance) to discuss the process of developing their research partnership.

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Studying STEM in Sunset Park

IHDSC spoke with Dr. Natalie Brito and Sunset Spark — a Brooklyn-based non-profit— about their partnership, the importance of diverse and representative samples, and the benefit of conducting research in community-based settings.

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