Leadership and Organizational Growth
In February 2023, Dr. Jessica Hoffmann transitioned into the role of Director of Implementation Science, spearheading efforts to strengthen the connections between research and practice. Under her leadership, YCEI’s research efforts have focused on the sustainability and scaling of SEL initiatives, supported by strategic operations, communications, and marketing. To enhance coordination across departments, YCEI established an Executive Team comprising Marc Brackett, Karen Niemi, Nikki Elbertson, Danica Kelly, and Jessica Hoffmann. This team has been instrumental in fostering a unified purpose, cultivating a positive work environment, and supporting YCEI staff in achieving well-defined objectives.
During this period of reflection and reorganization, YCEI refined its research agenda to concentrate on three main areas:
- Emotion Science: Deepen our understanding of how emotions and emotion skills shape behavior, decision-making, and well-being, while exploring their development over time through research and evidence synthesis.
- Intervention Evaluation: Evaluate the implementation and impact of RULER and other emotional intelligence interventions on individual and organizational outcomes.
- Methodological Advancements: Build a more inclusive and scientifically sound research base for emotional intelligence and SEL by developing new assessment tools and leveraging emerging technologies.
These focused efforts ensure that YCEI’s research informs practice, providing educators with the measurement tools and evidence necessary to support their work.
Research Scholarship 2023-2024
As described in the 2023-2024 Research Year in Review report, YCEI’s research has been widely disseminated through various platforms:
- Conference Presentations: The research team presented at 32 regional, national, and international conferences, delivering 78 presentations, including paper presentations, posters, workshops, and keynote addresses.
- Publications: The research team contributed to 55 publications, including 41 peer-reviewed journal articles, 3 books, and 11 book chapters, featured in 34 scholarly journals and by 6 book publishers. Notably, several of these peer-reviewed articles were published in high-impact journals such as Child Development, Educational Psychology Review, Educational Psychologist, and the Journal of Creative Behavior.
- Popular Media: The research team produced 62 media pieces to engage and inform a broader audience, including news articles, magazine features, blog posts, podcast episodes, and videos.
Awarded Funding 2023-2024
The research team secured $6.6 million in new funding, including a $3.5 million grant from the Institute of Education Sciences for the “Promoting Student Performance and Well-being: An Efficacy Trial of High School RULER project. The seven new awards add to YCEI’s existing portfolio of over $14 million across 20 active research grants. This funding supports a range of research initiatives, from evaluating professional development for educators in early childhood and secondary education to the development of tools and research to enhance SEL practices across different cultural contexts. These projects aim to improve student outcomes, well-being, school climate, and creativity, while also exploring the role of emotional experiences and art in fostering understanding and resilience.
Dr. Hoffmann expressed her pride in the team’s accomplishments: “I am incredibly proud to work alongside this dedicated team. We are excited about the year ahead. Our goal now is to focus on quality over quantity, impact, and sustainability.”
As YCEI moves forward, the Center remains committed to advancing the science of emotional intelligence and SEL, supporting educators, students, and communities through evidence-based research and practice. The dedication and achievements of the YCEI team over the past 18 months lay a strong foundation for continued impact and innovation in the coming year.
For more information about the Center's line of research, please contact yceiresearch@yale.edu.