Carolyn Pope-Edwards - Outstanding Research and Creative Activity (ORCA) Award

Carolyn Pope Edwards, Willa Cather Professor in the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies and the Department of Psychology at UNL. Edwards has made significant research and creative contributions to three fields – cultural anthropology, moral development in psychology and early childhood education. She has used her research – much of it done across disciplines – to inform policy, particularly in the early childhood arena, and has written and spoken widely on the topic. Edwards has attracted significant grant funding to UNL, having served as principal or co-principal investigator on more than $15 million worth of grant-funded activities. One of Edwards’ recent projects is a National Science Foundation-funded grant to study and improve math and science education in early childhood. Edwards also has been appointed as coordinator for the university’s new Buffett Early Childhood Institute, which aims to improve the success of children, particularly those at risk, from birth to age 8.