Essay: The Crucial Role of Researchers in Policymaking

PRINT

In a newly published essay, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Osborne outlines the five stages of public policy implementation—and the research critical for each stage.

The essay draws from a rich history of policymaking scholarship, as well as Osborne’s experience founding two academic research centers focused on the efficacy and equity of state policy.

Read the full essay from the Society for Research in Child Development

Related

2025 Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit​

Join us on September 30, 2025, to explore the latest Roadmap, expert insights, and strategies to strengthen support for young children and families.
Join us on September 30, 2025, to explore the latest Roadmap, expert insights, and strategies to strengthen support for young children and families.

State Policies to Promote Employer-Supported Child Care

Research suggests that the high cost of child care can lead many parents to limit their participation in the workforce, resulting in negative repercussions for families and the economy. Though increased public investment is needed

Approaches to Improving Early Educators’ Compensation

Early educators remain among the most underpaid workers in the nation despite playing a critical role in child development and enabling workforce participation for parents. Across the country, the median wage for early educators is