Stephanie is currently a Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota. Prior to this, she was Assistant-to-Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, University of Washington (1998-2007).

Dr. Carlson is a developmental psychologist and internationally recognized leader in the measurement of executive function in preschool children. She conducts research on ways to promote the healthy development of EF in children and their caregivers. Her work has received funding from federal agencies and non-profit foundations, including the National Institutes of Health, Institute of Education Sciences, John Templeton Foundation, and the Character Lab. Dr. Carlson’s research is highly cited and has been featured in several media outlets, including Time, Newsweek, New York Times Magazine, The Times (UK), Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and National Public Radio.

Education
B.A. (summa cum laude) with Honors in Psychology, Bucknell University (1991)
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, University of Oregon (1997)

Organizations & Memberships
Dr. Carlson is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. She was selected for the 2022 Mary Ainsworth Award for Excellence in Developmental Science from APA. She has served on several editorial boards, as Vice President of the Jean Piaget Society, and as a member of the Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Global Working Group (University of Chicago) and the Frontiers of Innovation Pre-k Standards and Assessments Working Group (Harvard Center on the Developing Child and the National Governors’ Association). She has been an advisor to the Minnesota Children’s Museum, Sesame Workshop, Playworks.org, Transforming Education, Understood.org, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, PBS Kids, and Noggin. She was nominated as a “Favorite Professor” by undergraduates and is frequently invited to speak at national and international meetings, including TEDx Minneapolis.

Stephanie advises Reflection Sciences on data analytics, evidence-based approaches to product and professional development, and prospective partnerships.

Email: scarlson@reflectionsciences.com