LEARN (Leverage, Empower, Advance, Research, Network)

LEARN strengthens scientific capacity in Ghana and Colombia, equipping researchers with advanced training, mentorship, and global networks to drive impactful studies on child development, learning, and education.

Our LEARN program in collaboration with NYU Global Ties, Cape Coast University in Ghana, and Universidad de los Andes in Colombia strengthens scientific capacity in Ghana and Colombia, enabling researchers to contribute to local and global discussions on child development, learning, and education. It addresses the underrepresentation of scholars from the Global South in educational and developmental science, where diverse perspectives are essential for a truly global evidence base.

Researchers in these regions face barriers to advanced scientific training, research funding, and international collaborations, limiting their opportunities to conduct impactful, research. LEARN seeks to remove these barriers by offering inquiry-driven instruction and mentoring, fostering professional networks, and supporting the practical application of advanced research methods.

An important element of LEARN is its association with the Jacobs Foundation’s LEVANTE program, which coordinates data collection by research teams on children’s learning variability across individuals, groups, and contexts. LEARN scholars benefit from this collaboration in multiple ways: they gain access to LEVANTE’s advanced methods workshops, opportunities to develop proposals for LEVANTE research calls, and networking events that encourage cross-pollination of research ideas.

Additionally, LEARN connects scholars to international research associations such as the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development (ISSBD) and the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). These collaborations provide participants with access to global research networks, peer mentorship, and opportunities for knowledge exchange.

The program is led by Dr. Hiro Yoshikawa, Dr. Carolina Maldonado, and Dr. Chris Yaw Kwaah, who bring extensive expertise in child development and education research. An SRCD advisory group, co-mentors, and ISSBD’s support for mentor matching further strengthen the program’s capacity-building efforts.

The program enables researchers to explore locally relevant questions in education and human development while supporting them with the skills and connections needed to access international research opportunities and funding. This enhances their professional growth and enriches global discourse By empowering researchers in Ghana and Colombia, LEARN cultivates an inclusive community of scholars and contributes to a more diverse understanding of educational and developmental science.