Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research

09/20/2026

From the challenges Head Start faces to the opportunities ahead, our summit conversations were insightful and engaging. Thank you to our more than 100 attendees and to our speakers for taking the time to dig into where Head Start stands and what comes next.

We're also grateful to the NYS Council on Children and Families for co-sponsoring the summit. Look for a recap of the event on our website in the coming days.

09/03/2026

Registration for our Second Annual Head Start & Early Childhood Education Summit closes this Friday, September 4.

Join researchers, policymakers, and Head Start practitioners for a day of honest, evidence-based conversation, featuring keynote speaker Tyler Watts, a policy update from Tommy Sheridan, and a practice and policy panel with Chloe Gibbs, Alberta Conteh, and moderator Taryn Morrissey.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 570 Lexington Ave, 12th Floor, New York, NY
Free to attend, lunch provided.

https://bctr.cornell.edu/headstartsummit

09/01/2026

PRYDE Scholars kicked off the semester with a visit to the Great New York State Fair, where they got a firsthand look at how 4-H helps young people across the state learn, create and grow. 🍀🎯

Scholars from the Program for Research on Youth Development and Engagement (PRYDE) explored projects created by 4-H youth, learned more about the skills and experiences they gain through the program and even got some hands-on instruction at the 4-H archery activity.

“At the fair, I noticed that the 4-H youth crafted creative projects based on how they see the natural world and you could truly see how 4-H allows youth to express themselves freely, thus creating such creative and informative art pieces. Very talented bunch!” said Janier James ’27.

Diya Singhal ’28 was surprised by the breadth of the experience for young people.

“I was really struck by the incredible range of projects 4-H youth take on, but even more so by how much they learn beyond the technical skills - from problem-solving and communication to confidence, responsibility, and independence.”

For PRYDE director Kristen Elmore, the annual visit gives scholars an opportunity to see youth development in action.

“In our trip to the Fair, PRYDE scholars see what 4-H programming really means for youth. We imagine what youth learn about themselves as they master the art of baking or raise a chicken from the moment it hatches,” she said. “This year scholars got hands on instruction from one of the 4-H program leaders at the Archery activity, and a couple students discovered a hidden talent!”

Photo Credit: Marilu Lopez-Fretts

09/01/2026

What's the most important thing you've learned in life that you'd like to pass on?

That's the question Karl Pillemer suggests asking an older woman in your life. It's more about what she learned, not what she did. A routine that made sense a while ago might not translate today, but the wisdom underneath it usually does.

Pillemer directs the Cornell Legacy Project, which has gathered practical life advice from nearly 1,500 older adults since 2004. The same themes keep surfacing: prioritize relationships over money, say yes more often, and notice the small pleasures.

Pillemer's advice is featured in a new TIME article.

Ask an older woman what she’s learned. Her answer could change your week.

08/27/2026

How can research make a difference in people’s lives? 🔎

Students explored that question at yesterday’s Translational Research Minor Open House, hosted by the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR). Over pizza, students met with peers, faculty and advisors to learn about courses, field experiences and opportunities to put research into practice.

Open to students in any major and any Cornell college, the Translational Research Minor builds skills for using research to inform interventions, practices and policies, while bringing knowledge from communities and practice settings back into the research process.

From STEM and medicine to public health, social sciences, law and public policy, the minor prepares students to turn research into social impact.

Learn more about the Translational Research Minor at https://human.cornell.edu/degrees/translational-research-minor

Photo Credit: Galib Braschler

08/27/2026

What does it take to turn decades of research into meaningful change for New York's kids and families?

Our 2026 Extension Spotlight shows how, moving research into communities across the state and beyond. Examples include:

-PRYDE's Youth Investigators Program, which puts research tools directly in teens' hands

-Farmers' market nutrition programs with Cornell University Cooperative Extension New York City, reaching thousands of New Yorkers

Trauma-informed training from the Residential Child Care Project, Cornell University, reaching many of the state's public schools

This report highlights five programs translating Cornell research into meaningful impact.

Rooted in our land-grant mission, this year's spotlight tells the story of a center closing the gap between what research knows and what our communities experience, one classroom, farmers' market and community center at a time.

08/25/2026

Head Start's future is a major topic of debate right now, and our Second Annual Head Start & Early Childhood Education Summit is bringing researchers, policymakers, and practitioners together to talk about it.

Keynote speaker Tyler Watts opens the day, followed by a Head Start policy update from Tommy Sheridan and a practice and policy panel with Chloe Gibbs, Alberta Conteh, and moderator Taryn Morrissey. The day also includes research flash talks and working sessions focused on next steps for the field.

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 570 Lexington Ave, 12th Floor, New York, NY
Free to attend, lunch provided. Registration closes Friday, September 4.

The complete agenda and registration info: https://lnkd.in/gcXFkaSa

08/21/2026

We're entering a new chapter at the BCTR! Starting Sept. 1, Laura Bellows becomes our new faculty director, and Kristen Elmore steps into the role of executive director.

Bellows has spent her career connecting nutrition research to communities and has deep ties to BCTR. She was our Evalyn Edwards Milman Faculty Fellow from 2023 to 2025 and has helped shape our Head Start and Early Childhood Education Summit, happening in New York City on Sept. 19. We hope you'll be attending!

Elmore has been part of BCTR since 2016, most recently leading the Program for Research on Youth Development & Engagement (PRYDE), and will guide our day to day work and student engagement.

They take over from Tony Burrow, who led BCTR for six years and will continue directing the Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange, housed here at the center.

We're grateful for Tony's six years of visionary leadership and excited for what's ahead.

More on this transition here: https://bctr.cornell.edu/two-new-leaders-one-shared-mission-bellows-and-elmore-take-the-helm-at-bctr/

08/14/2026

Head Start could look very different soon. Major changes to its federal rules are on the table.

We're bringing together early childhood researchers, policymakers, and Head Start practitioners for our Second Annual Head Start & Early Childhood Education Summit in partnership with the NYS Council on Children and Families.

We'll dig into the research behind Head Start, what's at stake in current policy debates, and what evidence-based programs actually need to serve children well.

Head Start traces its roots to research by our namesake, Urie Bronfenbrenner, and we continue his legacy with honest, evidence-based conversation when the program needs it most.

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY
Free to attend, lunch provided. Space is limited.

More info: https://bctr.cornell.edu/headstartsummit

08/05/2026

Learn a bit more about New York State 4-H on the latest edition of All Things Local from 607 News Now, featuring NYS 4-H Director Alexa Maille.
https://607newsnow.com/podcasts/all-things-local-8-4-26/

Cornell Cooperative Extension
College of Human Ecology at Cornell

Kate Supron is joined this week by Alexa Maille from NYS 4H.