Education
- Ph.D. 2016 – University of Maryland, Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
- B.A. 2010 – Kenyon College, Psychology
Areas of Expertise
- Human Development
- Language and Literacy Development
- Parenting
- Early Childhood
Background
Kathryn Leech specializes in early childhood learning and development. Her work sits at the intersection of education and developmental psychology, and these perspectives inform her teaching and research, particularly in translating evidence-based practices into strategies that support family functioning and child development. She directs the Early Learning Lab within the UNC School of Education, where she leads a team of graduate and undergraduate researchers dedicated to studying how adult caregivers can best support young children’s language and cognitive development. Before joining UNC-Chapel Hill, Leech held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University and Boston University. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Quantitative Methodology from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College.
Research
Leech’s research focuses on how everyday interactions, such as conversations between parents and children, shape language and cognitive development during early childhood. Specifically, she is interested in how conversations with adults help children learn language and acquire knowledge about their world. She employs a mix of quantitative methods and experimental designs, often leveraging naturalistic observations and interventions to explore the mechanisms through which language influences children’s learning. Her research is driven by a commitment to translate findings into practices that directly benefit children and families.