The Department of Psychology has a longstanding tradition of producing research that results in real-world impact. From local initiatives in neighborhoods surrounding the University campus to tools used by teachers in classrooms and parents at home around the world, Department faculty and students are constantly making innovations that change the lives of people everywhere. Here are some examples: 

Local

  • The Center for Gesture, Sign, and language (CGSL)
    In addition to interdisciplinary, collaborative research among psychologists, linguists, and semanticists, CGSL is a hub for ASL interpreters and deaf community members located in the Chicago-area. The Center hosts conferences, workshops, and other events.

  • Center for Early Childhood Research
    Cutting edge research that helps us understand how babies' brains develop require the participation of children and parents in studies. This partnership has proven rewarding for both participants and researchers. 

National/Global

  • Bedtime Math
    Our mission is to help kids love numbers so they can handle the math in real life.

  • Using Spatial Learning in the Classroom and At Home
    Building on our extensive research on the science of spatial learning, we have written these overviews for educators, policy makers and parents. We hope that reading them will support using our findings in classrooms, informal learning settings, and at home.