Rachel Katz, Ph.D., is an applied developmental scientist working at the nexus of research, policy and practice. As director of Research & Evaluation at Start Early, she provides strategic leadership and support across national initiatives spanning early childhood systems, family support and cross-sector partnerships, including the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement, the Institute for Home Visiting Workforce Development and formerly the Educare Network.
Dr. Katz brings expertise in applied research and evaluation, developmental science, mixed-methods research and research-practice-policy integration. Her work examines how early experiences shape development, with a focus on early childhood education, home visiting, workforce supports, caregiver-child relationships and variation in outcomes across social and cultural contexts.
She advances the use of research, data and evaluation to inform policy, practice and decision-making that support children, families and the early childhood workforce. Her work also emphasizes research translation through the synthesis and communication of data for a variety of audiences, including practitioners, policymakers, families and researchers.
Dr. Katz holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Bates College and a Doctorate of Philosophy in child study and human development from Tufts University. Dr. Katz resides in Concord, Massachusetts, with her husband, three-year-old son, and their dog, Reuben. Outside of her research, she is an avid musician and loves spending time at the piano, singing, and composing music. She has recorded an album of original songs and has a deep appreciation for the performing arts, with a particular passion for dance and musical theater.