Jennifer Astuto

Jennifer Astuto is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Applied Psychology at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, & Human Development.

Dr. Astuto is a developmental psychologist who examines how civic engagement, school readiness, and learning develops and is supported for children living in ethnically and racially diverse and/or immigrant communities. Professor Astuto received her doctorate in developmental psychology from the Graduate Center, City University of New York, her master’s degree in Mental Health & Counseling from NYU Steinhardt and her bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Science at NYU.

By conducting basic and applied research Astuto examines the unique and critical role of play in children’s lives. Cultivating strong partnerships with the communities she works in, Astuto and her team generate empirically driven knowledge that is culturally relevant and socially just. Astuto aims to produce actionable research and develop collaborations that are used to empower and strengthen the lives of young children through education and policy. She uses various methodological approaches, including RCTs, multi-level modeling, interviewing and ethnographic methods. Astuto’s most recent research, supported by the Spencer Foundation, employs a multi-method design aimed to develop a measure of civic engagement for young children. To learn more about her work visit playLabNYU