Ariel Kalil

Dr. Ariel Kalil is the Daniel Levin Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy. Dr. Kalil is a developmental psychologist who studies economic conditions, parenting, and child development. At Harris, she directs the Center for Human Potential and Public Policy and co-directs the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab. Her current research examines the historical evolution of income-based gaps in parenting behavior and children’s cognitive and non-cognitive skills. In addition, she is leading a variety of field experiments designed to strengthen parental engagement and child development in low-income families using tools drawn from behavioral economics and neuroscience. She also holds appointments as an adjunct professor in the Norwegian School of Economics in Bergen, Norway and in the School of Business Administration at the University of Stavanger, Norway. Kalil received her PhD in developmental psychology from the University of Michigan.

My Truth

I am trying to close the gap between aspirational and actual parenting in low-income families. The problem I am trying to solve is that low-income parents, like all parents, many times do not follow through on their good intentions to interact with their children in ways that promote their children’s development.