On July 15–17, ÐÜèÊÓÆµheld a research-intensive conference on “Advancing Knowledge and Building Capacity for Early Childhood Research: Creating Synergies Among Segregated Scholarly Communities.” The conference brought together more than 20 accomplished scholars whose research interests span fields and disciplines engaged in early child development and early education research. The meeting was held at the ÐÜèÊÓÆµheadquarters in Washington, D.C.
The conference aimed at examining the state of the knowledge, identifying critical research areas, considering promising research designs and methodologies, and assessing capacity-building needs and potential approaches to innovative collaborations. Plenaries and breakout sessions fostered candid analysis and exchange by all participants. Throughout the conference, participants explored the state of early childhood research and links to policy and practice, as well as the interplay of the two.
The conference was planned and co-chaired by Beth Graue, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Felice Levine, ÐÜèÊÓÆµexecutive director; Kathy Nakagawa, Arizona State University and vice president of ÐÜèÊÓÆµDivision E; and Sharon Ryan, Rutgers University.
ÐÜèÊÓÆµwill hold a symposium on this topic at the 2016 ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting. It is also anticipated that this research conference will yield an agenda-setting report.
Conference participants included: