Explore:
Inequities in early childhood education and care (ECEC), formal education and youth training.
Test:
Novel solutions to known problems, collaborating with stakeholders.
Create:
Knowledge mobilization tools, including evidence-informed policy.
We draw on multidisciplinary insights from many fields, including economics, applied psychology and human development, and political science. We work with researchers across Canada and abroad to answer questions, develop interventions and mobilize information.
Featured Insight…
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...
Quantitative Analysis and Methods
The Apprenticeship Pathway
Hiring more immigrants may solve Canada’s labour shortage in the skilled trades—while also providing more equitable wages for newcomers.
The gender pay gap in Quebec
Our research with IDQ uncovers pervasive socio-economic trends that hinder women in Québec from obtaining pay equity.
Navigating Choppy Waters
As the pandemic continues to complicate revenue streams, online-only degree programs can provide a financial lifeline to higher education.
Intervention Creation and Testing
Can a Brief Professional Development Improve Early Childhood Educators’ Responsivity and Interaction Quality in Childcare Centers?
High-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) – particularly care defined by highly responsive interactions between educators and children – has the potential to have lasting positive impacts on children’s development. While there is variability in the level of quality among early education and care settings, professional development for early childhood educators has been shown to be an effective means to improve both ECEC quality and child outcomes.
Cultivating Young Minds
Creativity and self-directed learning (SDL) have been identified as two key skills that children need to develop for success in the 21st century. As such, developing such skills has become a priority. High quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) can play a pivotal role in supporting a myriad of children’s developmental outcomes.
Increasing engagement with online learning platforms for unemployed youth
Exposure to online learning platforms, such as LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and EdX has been increasing. However, keeping people engaged once they sign up remains a significant barrier.
Designing Effective Policy Responses
Policy Frameworks and Parental Choice
Many children in Canada and the United States experience poor-quality child care on a regular basis. Under the rubric of “parent choice,” governments continue to permit a variety of licensed care providers (centers and homes) as well as unlicensed home child care providers.
Material Circumstances and Pandemic-Related Education Choices
Parents have faced difficult decisions regarding their children’s educational plans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the findings of an original survey of parents from four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec), this paper examines the influence of parents’ material circumstances on decision-making around schooling in September 2020 and June 2021.
Ontario As A Case Study For Modernizing Home Child Care Licensing And Support
Focusing on Ontario as a key case given its population and particular licensing model, we propose a model of licensing which would bring HCC in line with requirements in child care centres and ensure all HCC providers are licensed and monitored. Recognizing that licensing alone does not guarantee quality child care, we propose a system of program supports to accompany licensing.
Mailing Address
Department of Management
University of Toronto Scarborough
UTSC Instructional Centre
1095 Military Trail
Toronto, ON M1C 1A4
