E. Danielle Roberts, PhD
E. Danielle Roberts, PhD is a strategic leader in educational research with expertise in federal scientific peer review, mixed-methods program evaluation, and research-practice partnerships. Her career has been driven by a longstanding passion for supporting young children, which began before her teenage years when she helped in nursery programs and led activities for younger children at her church. This early interest evolved into a professional focus on child development and education, combining hands-on experience with rigorous research to inform practice and policy.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from William & Mary and a master’s in family counseling, Dr. Roberts began her career providing therapy for young children, using play therapy and supporting Head Start classrooms. She then transitioned into administration at a private preschool, gaining practical experience in early childhood program management. Motivated to bridge research and practice, she pursued a PhD in Educational Psychology at Temple University, where her dissertation examined pre-service early childhood teachers’ knowledge of emotion socialization and strategies to foster children’s emotional competence. She further expanded her research expertise during a postdoctoral fellowship at Montclair State University, conducting evaluation studies to assess program outcomes for youth development initiatives.
Currently, Dr. Roberts serves as an Education Research Analyst at the Institute of Education Sciences within the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, she leads federal grant peer review processes, guiding review panels, training team members, and ensuring rigorous evaluation standards. While her expertise remains rooted in early childhood research and social-emotional development, her work now spans a broader national context, shaping how federal research supports education policy and practice. Across all her roles, Dr. Roberts is committed to translating research into actionable insights that improve outcomes for children, educators, and communities.
• Temple University - PhD
• William & Mary - MEd, Family Counseling
• William & Mary - AB, Psychology and Sociology
• Graduate Student Travel Award 2016
• Temple University applicant for American Psychological Foundation Koppitz Fellowship 2015
• American Education Research Association (AERA)
• Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD)
• Delta Gamma Fraternity
• Temple University Graduate Organization of the College of Education
• Donates to CARE
What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's probably a combination of education and training experiences, and really trying to build and maintain relationships with both mentors and colleagues. I always enjoyed working and spending time with young children, even before I was a teenager when I started helping in nursery and with younger children's programming at my church. As I started my career, I really saw the value in working with young kids and trying to implement as much programming as possible to give them a good start from the very beginning, to give them the best chance at succeeding in school and beyond. Every kind of work experience gave me a little more insight and kind of drove me in possibly a slightly different direction in how to really have the most impact on trying to create that positive change in young children's lives.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I would say that your career path is likely not going to be a straight trajectory. You know, there can be bumps and turns along the way, but to just trust that everything will work out in the end, and, you know, in hindsight, you'll understand how those twists and turns help you get to a later goal in your career.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value connection, loyalty, and curiosity in both my work and personal life. I strive to be dependable and supportive in my professional relationships while continuously seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Creativity is important to me, whether it’s exploring new ideas, reading music, or finding innovative ways to approach challenges. At the same time, I prioritize presence and balance, cherishing meaningful moments with loved ones including my Westie which keeps me grounded and energized in all that I do.