Appointment of Atkinson Charitable Foundation Chair in Early Child Development and Education
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Michal Perlman to the Atkinson Charitable Foundation Chair in Early Child Development and Education for a five-year term from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2030. The Atkinson Chair was established in 2000 with the purpose of fostering research activities that enhance the scientific understanding of early child development, and applying this knowledge in practical settings to increase broader support for early child development. This prestigious appointment has been made on the advice of the Atkinson Chair selection committee.
Professor Perlman joined the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development in 2002. She currently serves as Director of the R.G.N. Laidlaw Research Centre and Program Chair of the Developmental Psychology and Education program, and previously served as Acting Associate Dean, Research, International and Innovation. Professor Perlman’s research examines the quality of interactions that children have with their caregivers both at home and in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings. She has worked with different levels of government to develop and test how ECEC quality measurement can be used for monitoring and quality improvement purposes. She also studies key skills and competencies needed for the success of young learners as part of the Equity in Education Lab. Professor Perlman’s work has been published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals and practitioner/policy-oriented outlets. Her research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the McCain Foundation, and a host of other government organizations and foundations.
Please join me in congratulating Professor Perlman on her distinguished appointment as Atkinson Chair!