March 9, 2026

Inaugural NAECR Sparks Series is underway

NAECR has launched a new learning series for early childhood researchers who want to explore emerging topics together — starting with artificial intelligence (AI) in early childhood research.

Group members will meet virtually three times per academic year for informal, idea-rich conversations during which they will share what they're trying, learn from peers, brainstorm possibilities and spark collaborations.

This is a space to explore and connect.

This year's group members are Alex Daro, Dalhia Lloyd, Lisa Knoche, Amanda Prokasky, Guy Trainin and Yingying Wang.

So far, the group has met twice to discuss participant goals and to discuss uses of AI for productivity. Future conversations will include ethics in using AI for research, and potential research questions, implications and collaboration around early childhood and AI.

First Five Nebraska Offers Legislative Tracker

First Five Nebraska monitors a broad array of legislative issues that impact young children. Bills from the 2026 legislative session are followed via First Five's online Legislative Tracker, which updates bill status daily during the legislative session and allows users to stay current on early childhood policy discussions in the Nebraska Unicameral.

The tool enables advocates and other stakeholders to stay up to date on public policies affecting early childhood.

NAECR Knowledge: Where Should Your Data Live? Choosing a Public Repository

What factors should you consider when selecting a data repository? 

The spring NAECR Knowledge event features Amanda Prokasky, senior research specialist at the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics & Psychometrics (MAP Academy), who will discuss repository selection and offer guidance for multiple points of the research cycle. 

Also, Leslie Delserone, professor of research data services and science librarian with UNL Libraries, will discuss the library's data repository resources.

There will be time for questions and discussion following the presentation.



The event is free, but registration is required.

Presentation Details

NAECR Knowledge: Where Should Your Data Live?

Choosing a Public Repository

Today: Monday, March 9, 2026

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CDT

Virtual via Zoom

A Zoom link will be distributed to registrants prior to the event.

Here are recent publications from NAECR researchers:

Utilizing State Workforce Registries and Targeted Surveys to Investigate Workforce Wellbeing

Alexandra Daro*, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, University of Nebraska

Greg Welch, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services

Kimberlee Belcher-Badal, National Workforce Registry Alliance

Wayne Mayfield, Institute of Public Policy, University of Missouri

Does Preschool Executive Control Mediate the Impact of Early Environmental Unpredictability and Deprivation on the General Factor of Psychopathology a Decade Later?

Eric Phillips, Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Rebecca Brock*, Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Tiffany James, Research & Innovation, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Jennifer Nelson, Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

W. Alex Mason, Child, Youth & Family Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Kimberly Espy, Neuroscience, University of Texas San Antonio

Timothy Nelson*, Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

 * Denotes NAECR Researcher

** Denotes NAECR Student Researcher

CYFS Signature Research Impact Program

The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools is accepting proposals for transformational research and innovation conducted in partnership with CYFS.

Research must fall under one or more of CYFS’ six thematic areas, and relate to issues impacting Nebraska’s children, families, schools and/or communities.

Additionally, principal investigators must be a faculty member at one of the NU campuses and a research affiliate of CYFS.

Award budget: Up to $20,000

Proposal due date: Monday, March 16, 2026



Learn more.

Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants on Education

The Small Research Grants on Education Program supports rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

Award budget: Up to $50,000

Proposal due date: April 15, 2026



Learn more.

New! 2026 Families Learning Conference

Call for Proposals

Nov. 8-11, 2026

San Antonio, Texas

The National Center for Families Learning’s annual conference brings together educators, researchers, policymakers and community leaders to explore best practices and innovations in supporting students and families in achieving their learning goals.

They are seeking proposals that reflect highly interactive and engaging presentations that include strategies and/or materials that attendees can use right away in their work with families.

Proposal due date: April 20, 2026

Learn more.

2026 Lincoln Early Childhood Conference

March 21, 2026

Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A

Lincoln, Nebraska

The Lincoln Early Childhood Conference aims to inspire and equip early childhood educators with the tools, strategies, and confidence to thrive personally and professionally.

Speaker Dr. Alexa Yunes-Koch will present the keynote, "Understand the Brain. Manage Stress. Change Behavior."

Sessions will include topics of child behavior challenges, disciplinary alternatives, effective conflict resolution, child and adult well-being and adult stress.

Learn more.

SREE Annual Conference

Call for Proposals

Sept. 23-26, 2026

Baltimore, Maryland

The Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness (SREE) is accepting proposals for symposia, papers and posters for its 2026 conference.

SREE invites participants to delve into the methodologies, skills and knowledge areas that education researchers will need to provide rigorous evidence for decision-making.

Proposal due date: April 1, 2026

Learn more.

New! 2025-26 Methodology Application Series

Featuring Pavel Chernyavskiy

Friday, April 24, 2026

10 – 11:30 a.m. CDT

Location to be determined

The Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics invites you to the first presentation of the 2025-26 Methodology Applications Series.

Please join us Friday, April 24, when Pavel Chernyavskiy, assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Virginia, leads a presentation titled, "Everything is Important and Everything is Correlated: Challenges and Opportunities of Working in Correlated Data."

This presentation will cover several projects rooted in education and public health that feature correlated data, the methodological hurdles and triumphs therein. It will also discuss some opportunities to extend existing models, such as areal indices (e.g. ADI, COI) using spatial models; educational assessment data using Item Response Models; and displayed effect from automatic facial coding software. 

The event is free and open to the public.

Learn more.

NAECR Knowledge: Where Should Your Data Live?

Choosing a Public Repository

Today: Monday, March 9, 2026

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CDT

Virtual via Zoom

What factors should you consider when selecting a data repository? 

The spring NAECR Knowledge event features Amanda Prokasky, senior research specialist at the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics & Psychometrics (MAP Academy), who will discuss repository selection and offer guidance for multiple points of the research cycle.

Also, Leslie Delserone, professor of research data services and science librarian with UNL Libraries, will discuss the library's data repository resources.

There will be time for questions and discussion following the presentation.



The event is free, but registration is required.

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families & Schools

College of Education and Human Sciences

Notice of Nondiscrimination