I take a comparative and multidisciplinary approach to study policies and programs for young children around the world. In particular, my research focuses on elements of effective early childhood systems, including governance, quality assurance, workforce development, and financing. I frequently work with policymakers in the design and implementation of my research projects.

My most recent research projects have focused on the politics of early learning, digital tools to support parents, and the early childhood workforce.

Through the multi-stakeholder Early Childhood Workforce Initiative, I developed global landscape analyses, country case studies, and research briefs on workforce issues — including access to relevant training, career pathways, and working conditions — to identify cross-country challenges, policy options, and promising practices.

While at the World Bank, I led analyses of early childhood development policies in more than 20 low- and middle-income countries as part of the flagship Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER-ECD).

I also was the Co-Principal Investigator of a randomized impact evaluation of strategies to improve the quality of community-based child care centers in rural Malawi, which solidified my interest in the dynamics of child care provision.

In addition to doing research, I contribute to evidence dissemination as an editor of Early Years: An International Research Journal. Dr. Lynette Okengo and I co-edited a recent special issue of Early Years on early childhood policy in low- and middle-income countries.

Overview of recent research