Immersive Social and Emotional Assessment (AI + VR Initiative)
The RACE Lab is developing innovative tools to assess young children’s social and emotional skills using immersive virtual reality environments and AI-driven interactive characters. This work focuses on understanding children’s perspective taking, emotional understanding, and responses to diverse social situations within controlled, realistic simulations. The goal is to advance developmental assessment methods and generate insights into the early processes that support children’s wellbeing.
Ecological Contexts, Identity, and Early Learning
In partnership with early care and education centers across Austin, Dallas, and Houston, the RACE Lab examines how family resources, educator practices, and classroom sociocultural interactions shape children’s developing sense of self and their social and emotional wellbeing. This project assesses how home and school contexts support children’s awareness of their identities and their attitudes toward peers from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on promotive factors that foster optimal development.
Contextual Determinants of Development (Secondary Data Analysis Project)
Using large-scale state and national datasets, the RACE Lab conducts quantitative analyses to identify the ecological factors that influence Black children’s early academic, social, and emotional outcomes. Current work draws on the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, the National Survey of Early Care and Education, and the Rapid Assessment of Pandemic Impact on Development in Early Childhood (RAPID-EC). These analyses provide evidence to inform policies and practices designed to strengthen early learning systems and support children’s development.
Early Childhood Systems and Policy Innovation
The RACE Lab collaborates with state agencies and national organizations to improve early care and education systems and integrate research into policy decision making. Our work includes supporting state partners as they revise Quality Rating and Improvement Systems, analyzing early childhood legislation, and identifying strategies that enhance the capacity of early learning systems to foster equitable and developmentally supportive environments for children and families.
Data Accessibility and Community Partnerships
As part of our commitment to translational research, the RACE Lab partners with community-based organizations to expand access to usable data and evidence. We provide tailored analyses, research support, and interpretation to help organizations leverage data in their programming, advocacy, and decision making. The goal is to ensure that community partners have the information they need to promote positive outcomes for children in their care.
