Since 2010, the CYFS Early Childhood Research Summit has showcased keynotes by leading experts, graduate student work, and sessions led by University of Nebraska faculty highlighting the latest early childhood research and its implications for practice and policy. As the summit continues to grow, one thing remains the same: our commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering connections to positively impact the lives young children and their families.
Visit websites from past summits (years linked above) to explore archived resources, including:
Explore past news stories about the summit, including photo galleries:
The sixth biennial summit featured keynote speaker the summit’s keynote speaker was Cynthia Osborne, professor of early childhood education at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Dr. Osborne’s presentation focused on “Effective State-Level Policies to Strengthen the Early Years.”
The 2020 summit was cancelled to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on large, in-person gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fifth biennial summit featured keynote speaker Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Faculty Fellow in the Department of Psychology at Temple University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek’s presentation focused on “Living in Pasteur's Quadrant: Navigating the Uncharted Waters Between Basic and Applied Research.”
The fourth biennial summit featured keynote speaker Carol McDonald Connor, chancellor’s professor at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Connor’s presentation focused on “Using Assessment to Inform and Promote Effective Early Learning Opportunities for Young Children.”
The third biennial summit featured keynote speaker Lynne Vernon-Feagans, William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of early childhood, intervention and literacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Vernon-Feagans’ presentation focused on “Diverging Destinies in Rural America: Work, Family & Early Child Development.”
The second biennial summit featured keynote speaker Arthur Reynolds, professor at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development. Dr. Reynolds’ presentation focused on “Enhancing Early Childhood Development: A ‘First Decade’ Perspective.”
The inaugural summit featured keynote speaker Karen Bierman, Evan Pugh Distinguished Professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Bierman’s presentation focused on “Translating Early Childhood Research to Practice.”