About the Network
The CYFS Research Network is a hub that sparks collaboration and discovery. This dynamic tool is designed to foster connections among Nebraska researchers in the social, behavioral and educational sciences — and to share their life-changing work. Explore our research themes below.
Academic Intervention & Learning
Academic Intervention & Learning
Academic Intervention & Learning
The CYFS Research Network promotes educational excellence through evidence-based programs and practices.
Researchers:
- Use evidence-based approaches to support and maintain children’s learning across their lifespan.
- Investigate strategies tailored for educators across all grade levels, school specialists and administrators, yielding positive academic outcomes in areas such as math, science, arts, technology and social sciences.
- Identify strategies that support learning more broadly, such as promoting teacher professional development, building family-school-community partnerships, improving school environments and informing policy development.
Research Affiliates Research Projects
Early Childhood Education & Development
Early Childhood Education & Development
Early Childhood Education & Development
The CYFS Research Network is strengthened by the Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research, which includes experts in all facets of early education and development, and helps bridge the gap between the research, practice and policy communities.
Researchers:
- Explore early childhood areas ranging from cognition and social-emotional well-being to language and behavior.
- Address both typical development and the progression of children who are especially vulnerable or have special needs.
- Examine how children function and are influenced by social and cultural systems, including homes, schools, peer groups and communities.
Research Affiliates Research Projects
Social, Emotional & Behavioral Well-being
Social, Emotional & Behavioral Well-being
Social, Emotional & Behavioral Well-being
The CYFS Research Network includes work that promotes children’s social, emotional and behavioral well-being.
Researchers:
- Work to understand children's social-emotional strengths and challenges to help build competencies and manage or prevent behavioral difficulties.
- Study how ecological systems influence children's social skills and capabilities, feelings, perceptions and motivations.
- Develop interventions that offer parents, educators and practitioners resources to assess and confront negative behaviors.
- Strive to improve early childhood education, child care programs and home visitation interventions by building partnerships and supporting teachers and early childhood professionals.
Research Affiliates Research Projects
Biological Bases of Learning & Behavior
Biological Bases of Learning & Behavior
Biological Bases of Learning & Behavior
The CYFS Research Network includes research to understand connections between biology, behavior and learning to unravel how these elements shape human experiences, while also working to ensure equitable access to services.
Researchers:
- Examine biological factors on children's cognitive, social and emotional well-being and equip parents/caregivers, educators and practitioners with insights to guide practices and interventions aimed at enhancing communication, personal autonomy and quality of life.
- Explore neuroimaging, cochlear implants, brain-based communication devices and other physiological processes to understand their influence on crucial developmental skills.
- Leverage advanced technology and foster partnerships to increase access to education and health care, with the goal to improve life outcomes for all.
Research Affiliates Research Projects
Rural Schools & Communities
Rural Schools & Communities
Rural Schools & Communities
The CYFS Research Network includes research to better understand and address the unique challenges and needs of teachers, students, individuals and families in rural communities.
Researchers:
- Identify, develop and validate methods that help teachers deliver research-based instruction in rural classrooms and improve outcomes for students.
- Investigate how professional development opportunities influence teachers’ knowledge, perceptions and practices.
- Study ways to improve quality of life and access to high-quality STEM education and other resources for health and well-being in rural communities.
Research Affiliates Research Projects
Research, Measurement & Evaluation Methods
Research, Measurement & Evaluation Methods
Research, Measurement & Evaluation Methods
The CYFS Research Network is strengthened by the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics, which includes experts in advanced methods, applied analytics and data infrastructure to support and enhance rigorous research within the social, behavioral, health and educational sciences.
Researchers:
- Specialize in advanced statistical and methodological approaches, work closely with scholars to conceptualize research designs, implement data quality best practices, conduct statistical analyses and interpret results to maximize the research impact.
- Leverage their expertise in mixed-methods, experimental, quasi-experimental and correlational designs, as well as applied analytics and statistical approaches linked to these designs, to improve the research quality.
- Deliver and sponsor workshops and seminars on cutting-edge research, measurement and evaluation methods and analytic techniques.
Research Affiliates Research Projects
Driving positive change through research — across the state and around the globe.
Research Affiliates
diverse faculty from across four campuses
CYFS Research Affiliates make up a team of faculty with diverse backgrounds and disciplines within the University of Nebraska system. Their work significantly contributes to Nebraska’s vibrant research community in the social, behavioral and educational sciences.
Together, they create solutions to the critical challenges we face in today’s classrooms, homes and communities.
Connect with them, discover their research expertise and learn how their work enhances lives — across the state and around the globe.
