Plenary II
How Research May Influence Policy and Practice
In spite of important advances in our knowledge and understanding of children’s development and positive influences from family, schools, and the community, there remain substantial gaps between findings from research and the policies that affect children. In this session, Mark Greenberg discusses the role that human development researchers can play in changing policy at the local, state, and national levels. There are a number of assumptions and beliefs that undermine effective connections between researchers and policymakers. Dr. Greenberg suggests strategies for addressing these challenges and successfully forging these partnerships. His discussion offers examples of partnerships that have made a real difference for schools, families, and communities. Also in this session, Hirokazu Yoshikawa addresses the impact of culture and public policy on the development of young children of undocumented immigrant parents. Dr. Yoshikawa discusses how traditional research assessments of cultural beliefs and family processes do not capture the specific contexts of being undocumented and socially excluded. He presents details of several research projects that capture the challenges associated specifically with these contexts, and identifies new pathways for acknowledging the struggles faced by these children.