BUILDING BETTER FUTURES

Creating and mobilizing evidence-informed inclusive early years, child, education, and job training policies.

Developing resilient futures for children and families in Canada.

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ABOUT US: We are…

Data Driven

We study how policies, organizational practices and curricula contribute to inequities in early childhood education and care (ECEC), formal education, and youth training. We do this using our expertise in working with administrative and survey data, along with state–of–the–art data analytics. We are skilled at using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. We embrace the possibilities in using technology, including AI, in answering research questions.

Better analysis of inequities and evaluation of programs and practices can highlight key shortcomings in service delivery. Investigating these important questions using a range of methods can better inform policymakers about why it is important to invest in ECEC, childhood education and youth training in Canada.

Equity focused

Our goal is to enhance program and policy development to decrease inequities in education. Our objectives are to recognize and address the intertwined identities and experiences shaping children and youth’s educational and developmental landscapes in Canada.

ECEC, education, and youth training inequities in Canada reflect disparities rooted in many factors, such as, but not limited to: socioeconomic status, race, geography, gender and sexual identity and orientation, disability, and culture.

In planning for evolving futures in a rapidly changing world, policies and programs must account for changing content and curriculum needs, while also paying attention to inequalities faced by developing learners and their families.

Community Engaged

Our researchers identify ways to support children and youth in ECEC, childhood education, and youth training systems. We work in direct partnership with organizations across Canada, helping them improve their programs and services, and advocate for vital change.

Many organizations involved in ECEC, education, and youth training are keen to understand inequities, develop ways to decrease them, and institute policies to promote equity. However, organizations alone do not typically have capacity, expertise or resources to carry out in-depth research in addition to providing important services.

We work with groups directly to analyze and understand their specific equity issues, pilot and test new ways to help, and develop effective policy to formalize important change.

Directors

Researchers

STUDENTS (TO DATE)

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

OUR MODEL: Bridging the gap

We work to bridge the gap between academic research and on-the-ground practice. WE connect partner institutions, design and test interventions, train students and staff, and mobilize knowledge.

SEe Below for Video examples of Some of projects in progress by our Research teamS.

OUR MODEL IN ACTION

Connect partner institutions and researchers to identify, inform and shape applied research questions related to equity in education and training in Canada.
Design and test interventions with researchers and organizations to develop equitable programs and services for children and families.
Train students and staff from partner organizations in research skills such as data analysis, quantitative and qualitative research methods, evaluation, and evidence-based policy development. We seek to prepare a new generation of leaders in this area.
Mobilize knowledge from the collaborative research to broader education and policy communities, in ways that are meaningful to the audiences we serve.

Recent Work

Teaching problem-solving skills in early childhood education and care settings: A focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised evidence on teaching problem-solving skills to children in early childhood education and care settings (ECEC) in the domain of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Given the foundational nature...

Variation All the Way Down: Charting the Subnational Trajectories of School Choice Policy across and within Multicultural Democracies

The expansion of choice within and outside the public education system has become a defining characteristic of countries across the Western world. Yet comparative analyses of these policy developments at the subnational level, where the most extensive and significant...

Are Citizens Responsive to the Regulatory State? The Effect of Regulation on Evaluations of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)

Public service delivery has increasingly involved mixed markets, with for-profit, not-for-profit, and government-delivered pro-grams. In such contexts, regulation can protect the public interest by enhancing safety, expanding consumer choice, or improv-ing the quality...

CONNECT WITH US

Whether you’re interested in connecting with a researcher to help your organization, wanting to join our research group as a student, or connect with someone for a media opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

How can I learn more about the work that you do?

Read About Us to get a sense of the research team and their various backgrounds. Visit Recent Work to get a sense of what our team has been producing lately.

I’d like to get involved! What’s the next step?

That’s great! If you’re an organization looking to partner with our team or an individual interested in more information, email us, and our admin staff will reply with some follow up questions to explore the next best steps.

I’m from a media organization and would like to connect with a member of your team.

Amazing. We’re happy to connect you. Please email us and our admin team will connect you with the appropriate researcher.

What organizations have you worked with in the past?

Here are a few of our current and past partners: BC Ministry of Education, BC Stats, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canadian Childcare Federation, Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation, Canadian Research Data Centre Network, Catholic Cross Cultural Services, Education Quality and Accountability Office, Human Early Learning Partnership, Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, Laval University, Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, McMaster University, Midaynta Community Services, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Offord Centre for Child Studies, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), People for Education, Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation, School of Early Childhood at George Brown College, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation, Statistics Canada, Toronto Children’s Services, and the Toronto District School Board.