Professors Kalil and Mayer are seeking a full-time Pre-Doctoral Fellow to join the BIP Lab for a one-year, renewable term starting summer or fall 2025. The Fellow will work directly with Professors Kalil and Mayer, along with post-doctoral and graduate researchers, contributing to research on young children’s skill development and parental investment in the home environment. The focus is on income-based parenting gaps and designing interventions to close these gaps by examining factors shaping parental decision-making and tools to bridge the intention-action gap. The Fellow will be jointly appointed at the Harris School and the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics, offering opportunities to engage in the university’s intellectual life.

Delaney Earley earned her Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the Harris School at the University of Chicago in June 2024. During her time at Harris, she served as a Strategy Fellow at Chicago Public Schools and worked as a Research Assistant at the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab. These roles allowed her to support young people and grow as a policy practitioner. Currently, Delaney works as a Recovery Team Program Manager at the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) for the City of Chicago, where she oversees social service programs utilizing relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In her free time, Delaney enjoys reading, attending concerts, and cheering on women’s sports. She was honored to receive the 2024 Susan E. Mayer Award for Excellence in Field Research.

BIP Lab: What drew you to work at the BIP Lab?

Prior to Harris, I worked with City Year Chicago and Working in the Schools (WITS), where I supported young people in their academic and social-emotional growth. I knew that I wanted to continue this work in some capacity during graduate school, which inspired me to apply for a Research Assistantship with the BIP Lab.  I was particularly interested in the Lab’s work on improving early literacy skills and supporting parent engagement during early childhood. 

BIP Lab: What is one of your favorite memories of the BIP Lab?

I really enjoyed assessing students via Zoom for the BIP Lab’s Learning Curiosity project.  While it was sometimes challenging to engage young children remotely, it was still a lot of fun to have conversations with children and their parents from all over the country.

BIP Lab: What are you doing now?

I work as a Recovery Team Program Manager for the Department of Family and Support Services (DFFS) at the City of Chicago.  In this role, I analyze data and support programs that utilize relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

BIP Lab: How did you become interested in your field?

At Harris, I grew to love working with data, and my current position with DFSS allows me to combine this new skillset with my passion for supporting Chicago’s most vulnerable residents.

BIP Lab: What advice would you give to other students who aspire to follow a similar career path?

I would encourage students to talk to professionals in different industries to get a sense of what type of work they find most fulfilling—whether that’s engaging with stakeholders in person, conducting supportive work behind the scenes, or a combination of both!

BIP Lab: What do you enjoy doing in your free time? 

I am a big fan of women’s sports, so I enjoy watching Chicago Red Stars and Sky games, and attending in-person whenever possible!