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NAECR selects 2023-24 Policy Fellows

The Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research has selected three faculty members to serve as Policy Fellows for the 2023-24 academic year.

The NAECR Policy Fellows Program is designed to educate early childhood researchers on policy processes, impacts and relationships to research; to provide policymakers with insight into the latest early childhood research at the University of Nebraska; and to generate collaboration among researchers and policymakers to develop effective research agendas that enrich early childhood experiences. Full Article

Research, best practices highlighted at Helen Kelley Symposium on Early Childhood

Hope Gerde, director of the Institute for Early Childhood at Texas A&M University, shares some of her research findings at the Helen Kelley Symposium on Early Childhood Sept. 28 at Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall. View photo gallery.

Visiting early childhood researchers outlined some of their work and discussed best practices for educators at the Helen Kelley Symposium on Early Childhood Sept. 28 at Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall.

Hope Gerde, director of the Institute for Early Childhood at Texas A&M University, and Linda Reddy, professor and associate dean of research at Rutgers University, shared research on professional learning supports for early childhood educators, including the birth to pre-K and early elementary settings. Full Article

Bringing American history to life, from paper to pixels

Michael Burton, assistant professor of art and design in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, is leading a project to share historical stories through animation and film. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

A team of Nebraska researchers is working with teachers to share stories from the past and connect them to the larger historical narrative of America through animation and film.

The project, “Animating History,” takes an interdisciplinary approach to advance knowledge in areas no single discipline can achieve on its own. This project aligns with the UNL Grand Challenge of anti-racism and racial equity. Full Article

‘Homegrown’ training program fills need for rural mental health professionals

Beth Doll and Matthew Gormley are leading a virtual training program that can be accessible to anyone interested in a career in school psychology, no matter where they reside. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

For small towns scattered throughout Nebraska, mental health professionals are hard to come by. Recruiting and retaining such professionals is crucial to ensuring these rural populations have access to quality mental health care.

Because mental health trainees are more likely to remain and work in the rural communities where they live, Beth Doll, professor of educational psychology, and Matthew Gormley, assistant professor of educational psychology are leading a virtual training program that can be accessible to anyone interested in a career in school psychology, no matter where they reside. Full Article

Video available for MAP Academy presentation featuring Joseph Gardella

Joseph Gardella, postdoctoral research associate at the Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratory, led the third and final presentation of the Spring 2023 Methodology Applications Series May 5.

Video is now available of Gardella’s virtual presentation, “Implementation Lessons from a Fully Online Pilot Intervention for LGBTQIA2S+ Teens to Reduce Dating Violence and Alcohol Use.” Full Article

NAECR Networking event highlights early childhood research from across NU system

Early childhood research from around the University of Nebraska system was highlighted at the May 5 Spring NAECR Networking event.

Early childhood research across the University of Nebraska system was the focus of the Spring NAECR Networking event May 5.

Attendees of the virtual event enjoyed presentations by Tiffany Moore, associate professor in the College of Nursing and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Julia Torquati, professor of child, youth and family studies at UNL. Afterward, attendees connected with colleagues and discussed research and collaboration opportunities. Full Article

Michigan researcher outlines obstacles, potential solutions for racially marginalized youth

University of Michigan professor Deborah Rivas-Drake delivers a Distinguished Visiting Scholar Keynote, “Promoting Socioemotional Development in Racially Minoritized Youth,” May 3 at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center. See gallery.

Many racially minoritized youth do not have equal access to the benefits of being young, according to a University of Michigan researcher.

Deborah Rivas-Drake, Stephanie J. Rowley Collegiate Professor of Education and Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, said during her May 3 keynote presentation at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center that youth of color are frequently dismissed or marginalized — often because of how they speak and express themselves. That generates an “unequal, social-emotional toll” on them from experiencing racial and immigration injustices. Full Article

Study reveals many American atheists hide their non-belief

Research by Dena Abbott, assistant professor of counseling psychology, reveals that because American atheists continue to experience a variety of social challenges, many are uncomfortable about disclosing their non-belief. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

The religiously unaffiliated, including atheists, are the fastest-growing (non)religious population in the United States. But the social stigma associated with atheism leaves this population vulnerable to isolation and poor mental health outcomes.

Dena Abbott, assistant professor of counseling psychology, recently completed a yearlong study to investigate the psychological well-being of two groups of atheists — rural-residing and woman-identified atheists — in the context of anti-atheist discrimination in the U.S. Full Article