Research
The Department of Human and Community Development houses a number of research units that focus on conducting applied research in the areas of child and adolescent development, family studies, and community development. These units include:
The Child Development Laboratory (CDL) is a preschool and child care program that facilitates and supports the teaching, research and service functions of HCD, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and the University community, while at the same time providing high quality early childhood program services for enrolled children and families. The CDL program plays a critical role in articulating the interconnectedness between theory, research and practice in disciplines focusing on the development of children and families.
The Laboratory for Community and Economic Development (LCED) coordinates research and educational programs in community and economic development. The Lab's staff work with researchers, economic development practitioners, business leaders, Cooperative Extension Service Educators and others across the country, bringing information and expertise to state and local policy makers, agricultural and business leaders, community leaders and Illinois citizens.
The Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program sponsors a community lecture series, supports faculty research in the area of family resiliency, and provides graduate student fellowships. The focus of the program is to enrich child, individual, and family well-being in the context of communities. Special attention is given to strengthening individual’s abilities to navigate the often competing demands of work and family through education, research, and public engagement.
The Illinois Rural Families Program (IRFP) collaborates with organizations serving rural Illinois communities in conducting applied research on human and family development issues and how these issues influence, and are influenced by, the communities in which the families live. Faculty and students work to promote positive human, family, and community development in rural areas as they conduct “action research” in joint effort with community-based organizations.
An example of this is the YouthWorks Project - IRFP’s premier effort to support positive youth development in rural contexts in ways that may help sustain and rejuvenate their home communities.