Walter S. Gilliam, Ph.D.

Occupation/Employment

Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology, Yale University; Director, The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy

Affiliations

Board of Directors, ZERO TO THREE; Board of Directors, Child Care Aware of America; Research Fellow, National Institute for Early Education Research

Contributions To The Field

Dr. Gilliam has conducted extensive research involving early childhood education and intervention policy analysis, ways to improve the quality of prekindergarten and child care services, early childhood mental health consultation, and the impact of early childhood education on school readiness.  His scholarly writing addresses early childhood care and education programs, school readiness and developmental assessment of young children.

Current Research

Dr. Gilliam’s research involves early childhood education and intervention policy analysis, ways to improve the quality of prekindergarten and child care services, and the impact of early childhood education programs on children’s school readiness.

Recent Honors/Awards/Recognition/Books Published

In 2008, Dr. Gilliam was the co-recipient of the Grawemeyer Award in Education for the most influential work in the field of education and was awarded the Priscilla Canny Research Award from Connecticut Voices for Children for the researcher who has most benefited children through state government. He has authored or coauthored numerous publications on young child development and early education and intervention, including the books A Vision for Universal Preschool Education (2006) and The pre-k debates: Current controversies and issues (2011). His research and work is frequently covered by the international and national media.