

Research-practice-policy partnerships are central to understanding and reducing inequality. For over a decade, IHDSC has aimed to influence policy and practice by conducting rigorous research and generating scientific evidence about what works, for whom, and under what conditions. In recent years, many faculty affiliates have taken on this goal more directly by forming active partnerships with governmental agencies, non-profit and community-based organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These partnerships span local, national, and global contexts and aim to build capacity and support system-level change effects to increase access to and effectiveness of services for more children and families. The Institute is committed to creating and strengthening partnerships that are mutually beneficial, equitable, and sustainable and that centers the voices of community allies.
IHDSC's approach to partnership is guided by a set of principles and the aim to create new knowledge of effective policies and practices and their implementation across multiple sectors and settings, and build the capacity to eliminate disparities and foster learning, health, and development for children and youth in our communities.
We are committed to partnered work that is mutually beneficial, equitable, and sustainable. We approach each collaboration with our principles of trust and commitment, responsive communication, production of actionable, shared knowledge, and engagement with diverse stakeholders.
We are Faculty, Students, and Staff with Content Expertise in:
… and Methodological Skills in:
Our partners include government agencies, NGOs, nonprofits, and other organizations who partner with IHDSC and our faculty affiliates on research and consultation, internships and training, communications and outreach and networking events. Some examples of current partners are listed below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What role can afterschool programs play in addressing inequality and promoting opportunities? The Advancing Collaborative Research in Out-of-School Settings (ACROSS) partnership represents a unique partnership between researchers from The Institute of Human Development and Social Change and Good Shepherd Services. Read a Q&A with Dr. Miranda Yates, Dr. Elise Cappella, and Sophia Hwang.