Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal is Director of the Learning Research and Development Center, which conducts interdisciplinary research on the science of learning to help create a just and equitable society, one where everyone can develop the knowledge and skill, and agency to fully participate and thrive in society. She is a developmental psychologist who studies how dimensions of socioeconomic status shape opportunities for healthy growth and development across the life course.
Below are some citations for research I have contributed to focused on racial equity, along with administering the programs referenced above.
Blatt, L.R., Hunter-Rue, D., & Votruba-Drzal, E. (2025). The moderating role of race/ethnicity on associations between externalizing behavior ratings and school suspensions. AERA Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584251327
Jones, E.J., Natale, B.N., Blatt, L.R., Votruba-Drzal, E, Miller, P., Marsland, A., & Sadler, D.C. (2024) Historical structural racism in the built environment and physical health in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Journal of Urban Health, 101, 713-729. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-024-00884-6
Blatt, L., Sadler, R., Jones, E., Miller, P., Hunter-Rue, D. S., & Votruba-Drzal, E. (2024). Historical structural racism in the build environment and contemporary children’s opportunities. Pediatrics, 153(2). e2023063230. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-063230
Blatt, L., Delale-O’Connor, L. A., Binning, K. R., & Votruba-Drzal, E. (2024). School segregation and social processes that shape early and middle childhood development. Educational Psychologist, 59(2), 71-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2023.2282443
We have also been running a YPAR program at the Sarah Heinz House focused on promoting scientific literacy and advocacy among minoritized youth.
