Joy Lorenzo Kennedy is an EDC Senior Research Scientist, developmental psychologist, expert in language and literacy development, and published author. She leads rigorous research, program evaluations, and measure development focused on helping educators and families improve outcomes for preK–12 learners. As the principal investigator (PI) of Institute of Education Sciences and National Science Foundation studies, she advances knowledge of key issues such as effectively using educational technology, increasing STEM and literacy achievement, and engaging families. A What Works Clearinghouse Certified Reviewer, she brings deep expertise in cost analysis; quantitative and qualitative research methods; and effective research communications.

Joy is the co-PI of EDC’s Changing Adolescent Literacy Trajectories study, which is examining the potential of high-intensity virtual tutoring to strengthen literacy outcomes for middle-grade students with reading difficulties. For the REL Northeast & Islands at EDC, she co-leads the U.S. Virgin Islands Partnership to Strengthen the Early Childhood Workforce.

Joy was the PI of La Fuerza-STEM, a family science initiative that received four awards, including a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Public Service Initiative. She also led an efficacy study that evaluated the impact of Mission US and developed and validated a new measure of historical empathy. As the PI of two randomized controlled trials, she found that an intervention with videos and games increased children’s ability to use informational text to answer real-world questions.

Joy holds a PhD in Applied Psychology (Developmental Program) from New York University.