Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development

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About Us

Profiles

Jonathan F. Zaff

Research Professor
Director, CERES Institute for Children & Youth

Jonathan Zaff
  • Program

    Applied Human Development
  • Email

    jfzaff@bu.edu
  • Phone

    617-353-8970

Dr. Jonathan F. Zaff is a research professor in applied human development at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. He is also director of the CERES Institute for Children and Youth, which conducts, evaluates, supports, and promotes community-engaged, applied research on positive educational and developmental ecosystems for today’s children and youth.

Using a positive youth development framework, Dr. Zaff’s research has included studies of youth-focused comprehensive community initiatives, civic engagement, and the social and emotional competencies of young people who have left high school without graduating. Over the past few years, his projects have focused on the role that multiple relationships in a young person’s life (a “web of support”) and the multiple institutions within which they learn and grow can encourage their academic, vocational, and civic engagement and success, particularly those young people who are off track in school and life.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Zaff was the founding executive director of the Center for Promise and on the leadership team for America’s Promise Alliance. The results of his work have appeared in more than 80 peer-reviewed journals and books, and practitioner- and policy-focused reports. He has also presented at numerous local, national, and international conferences and conducted trainings with practitioners and policy advocates.

Appointments

Director, CERES Institute for Children & Youth
Research Professor, Applied Human Development

Recent News

  • New CERES Institute Study to Explore Pandemic School Attendance

  • Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Funds Boston Debate League Partnership with the CERES Institute and the Henderson Inclusion School

  • CERES Institute Launches Study of School Choice Scholarships’ For Families of Students with Disabilities in Florida

  • Youth in Poverty Six Times More Likely to Experience Detrimental Levels of Adversity Than Higher-Income Peers

  • Youth in Five Cities Cite Fear as Major Barrier to Wellness

Education

PhD, Lifespan Developmental Psychology, University of Georgia

MS, Psychology, University of Georgia

BA, Psychology, Connecticut College

Research

I examine how to create the conditions in communities so that all young people have a real opportunity to thrive in school and in life, with a focus on young people growing up in historically disenfranchised communities. Over the past few years, my projects have focused on the role that multiple relationships in a young person's life (a "web of support") and the multiple institutions within which they learn and grow can encourage the academic, vocational, and civic engagement and success of young people who are off track in school and life.

Visit Dr. Zaff's Faculty Profile
Research Interests
Academic Achievement and Attainment Civic Engagement Positive Youth Development Relationships and Social Supports Social and Emotional Well-being

View all profiles

News Shows three high schools students in a science lab

Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science Programs Renewed for Five Years

The Upward Bound programs hosted by Boston University received another five years of funding from the US Department of Education. Upward Bound received $2.3 million, while Upward Bound Math Science… Read more

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The Transformative Power of Higher Education: A Q&A with Bobby Hiep Bui

Bobby Hiep Bui, a senior lecturer in counseling psychology, brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, therapist, and trainer to his work at BU Wheelock. That experience is grounded… Read more

BU Wheelock’s Chard and Goodman among Top Educational Policy Influencers

BU Wheelock Dean David Chard and Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and economics, were recently included among the top 200 university-based scholars in the United States whose work… Read more

Events

  • Lucy Wheelock Birthday PartyWednesday, February 1 | 4:30 PM

    Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, 2 Silber Way Lobby

  • Social Studies Education (Master’s) Virtual Info SessionThursday, February 2 | 6:00 PM

    Zoom

  • TESOL (Licensure) Graduate Info SessionMonday, February 6 | 6:00 PM

    Zoom

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Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Two Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215
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