Christina LiCalsi, Ph.D., is an applied education and social policy researcher whose work centers on advancing developmental, educational, and economic equity. She specializes in leading collaborative partnerships with school districts, state and local agencies, and community organizations to generate and communicate actionable evidence through mixed-method and causal research and evaluation. In her role as Principal Researcher at The American Institutes for Research she was Principal Investigator on several multi-million-dollar federally funded research grants focused on topics including state strategies to improve student mental health and academic outcomes in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, schoolwide implementation of restorative practices, and behavioral nudges to increase community college enrollment. Most recently Dr. LiCalsi directed a $10M federal contract to examine the equitable implementation and impacts of dozens of programs focused on health, education, housing, and economic security funded through The American Rescue Plan (the Biden administration’s COVID-19 pandemic response legislation). Her scholarship bridges rigor and relevance, producing peer-reviewed publications, working papers, and accessible tools for policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders. Dr. LiCalsi holds Masters degrees in Public Policy and Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Social Policy from Northwestern University.Â