Speaker：Dr. Sihong Liu, Social Science Research Scholar at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood

Time：14:00-15:00, May 18, 2025

Venue：Room 1805, Wangkezhen Building

Host：Li Yi

Abstract

Early life unpredictability is increasingly recognized as a distinctive dimension of early adversity that plays critical roles in child development. In an era marked by heightened unpredictability and uncertainty due to large-scale sociohistorical events, children face substantial challenges in understanding and adapting to unpredictable experiences. This talk introduces a research framework designed to accelerate the translation of basic science into practical strategies for addressing early life unpredictability. It will cover three key areas: First, a conceptual model will be presented to define early life unpredictability in modern terms, outline relevant theories, and provide a scoping review of existing operationalization approaches. Second, a two-pronged strategy will be proposed, integrating both structural and interpersonal interventions to mitigate the developmental impacts of early life unpredictability. Lastly, the application of a translational neuroscience approach will be discussed, highlighting how intervention pilots and randomized controlled trials can be used as experiments to further advance scientific understanding – such as uncovering underlying neurobiological processes and identifying individual heterogeneities in response to unpredictable experiences. Together, these three components form an iterative cycle of research – theory – practice, enabling simultaneous advancements in both basic science and real-world solutions. Related work at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood – such as the RAPID survey platform, the FIND intervention, and policy- and program-oriented evaluation research – will be used as examples to illustrate the framework’s implications.

Bio

Dr. Sihong Liu is a Social Science Research Scholar at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, working with Dr. Philip Fisher. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Statistics at Renmin University of China, she earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Georgia and completed her postdoctoral training at the Center for Translational Neuroscience at the University of Oregon.

Dr. Liu’s research integrates interdisciplinary theories and methodologies to explore how early life stress across multi-level ecological contexts shapes children’s behavior, development, and health. She also employs neuroimaging, electrocardiogram, and neuroendocrine stress response assessments to investigate how early adverse experiences become biologically embedded, altering children’s neurobiological processes.

In an era marked by large-scale socio-historical events and rapid advancements in algorithm-driven technology and media, children are exposed to unprecedented levels of unpredictability. Motivated by these challenges, Dr. Liu’s recent work focuses on understanding – and mitigating – the effects of early life unpredictability on young children’s development. Guided by a translational neuroscience framework, she seeks to bridge research, theory, and practice by accelerating the translation from basic science to innovative practical strategies. She advances this mission through a two-pronged approach: developing interpersonal interventions (e.g., programs supporting parents, early childhood educators, and young children) and systemic solutions (e.g., policymaking and community-based initiatives) to foster resilience and promote positive early development.