Biography

Karen Bierman’s research interests center on child social-emotional development and the design and evaluation of school-and community-based prevention programs that promote social-emotional learning, self-regulation, positive peer relations, and school success.

Currently, Bierman directs the Head Start REDI (Research-based, developmentally informed) prevention trial, funded by NICHD, which is evaluating the long-term benefits of evidence-based enrichments to Head Start classroom and home visiting programs. She also leads a related NICHD-funded study examining the impact of REDI delivered in child-care centers supported by on-line implementation supports.

Bierman also directs two projects funded by the Institute of Educational Sciences, including the TIES (Training Interdisciplinary Educational Scientists) predoctoral training program and the Friendship Connections Project, testing the efficacy of school-based interventions for children with significant peer difficulties. She is particularly interested in the use of technology-assisted intervention supports for teachers, parents, and children. She is a member of the Conduct Problem Prevention Research Group (CPPRG) and directed the Pennsylvania site of the Fast Track Project.