Meet Dr. Morton

Dr. LaRen Morton is a skilled social science researcher passionate about connecting research, policy, and practice to improve outcomes for children and families. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Georgia and a B.S. in Family Science from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Her research examines how environments shape children’s learning and well-being. She has managed research labs, supported research studies on child development and academic achievement, and translated data into insights that inform programs and policy. During her undergraduate career, Dr. Morton was a research assistant in the Family Involvement Lab (FIL), supporting the Baby Books 2 Project which helped first time parents foster children’s language and reading development. She expanded her research skills in graduate school as a graduate research assistant and lab manager of the Social Determinants of Child Development Lab. Dr. Morton was responsible for managing a wide range of research activities including data collection, coding observational data of parent-child interaction, data management, data analysis, and the development of peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Following her doctoral training, Dr. Morton was selected for the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)/American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Fellowship where she worked as a U.S. Federal Executive Branch Fellow in the Office of Planning Research and Evaluation (OPRE) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As a fellow she was able to make the connection between research and policy. Her work at OPRE spanned across Early Head Start/Head Start, child care, coordinated services, and workforce development.

In addition to her research and policy, Dr. Morton believes in creating pathways for others to grow. She channels her passion for learning and social change into mentoring and public scholarship. Her passion for mentorship began as an undergraduate student through the America Reads*America Counts. This experience inspired her ongoing commitment to supporting students. Today, Dr. Morton continues to mentor students at all levels. Dr. Morton also engages in public scholarship as the co-host of Woke and Witty, a podcast that explores sociopolitical themes in media.