Dana Miller-Cotto
@damcotto.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley studying children’s thinking, learning, and educational inequality. Temple Made. Proud CUNY alum. First Gen 🇯🇲🇺🇸. Views are mine.
danamillercotto.com
danamillercotto.com
Pinned
We’re recruiting 20 TK teachers for a 45–60 min virtual interview about math instruction. Participants receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Includes a brief survey; all responses confidential. Interested or know someone? forms.gle/HnRWwRj5Z1p6... Please share!
We’re recruiting 20 TK teachers for a 45–60 min virtual interview about math instruction. Participants receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Includes a brief survey; all responses confidential. Interested or know someone? forms.gle/HnRWwRj5Z1p6... Please share!
January 27, 2026 at 10:17 PM
We’re recruiting 20 TK teachers for a 45–60 min virtual interview about math instruction. Participants receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Includes a brief survey; all responses confidential. Interested or know someone? forms.gle/HnRWwRj5Z1p6... Please share!
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
If you’re outside of Minnesota and you’re wondering how to help, this guide is excellent.
And seriously. Take down your Ring doorbell TODAY.
And seriously. Take down your Ring doorbell TODAY.
How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota
Last edited January 22, 2026 I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this, you more or less understand the situation in Minnesota and I don’t have to explain it to you! That sa…
naomikritzer.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:47 PM
If you’re outside of Minnesota and you’re wondering how to help, this guide is excellent.
And seriously. Take down your Ring doorbell TODAY.
And seriously. Take down your Ring doorbell TODAY.
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
We invite apps for our postbac fellowship in educational research and action. Postbacs engage in research on learning & learning environments, receive close mentorship from scholars across disciplines, and gain hands-on experience through community-based programs. See cladlab.nd.edu/era-fellowsh...
Era Postbac Fellowship | CLAD Lab | University of Notre Dame
cladlab.nd.edu
January 18, 2026 at 12:01 AM
We invite apps for our postbac fellowship in educational research and action. Postbacs engage in research on learning & learning environments, receive close mentorship from scholars across disciplines, and gain hands-on experience through community-based programs. See cladlab.nd.edu/era-fellowsh...
Congrats to Kiara! 🥳
Thrilled for @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social undergrad Kiara Eng who is presenting at the 2026 @yale.edu Undergraduate Research Conference (YURC). Title is: "A Meta-Analysis of the Correlations Between Executive Functions and Spatial Abilities: Implications for Theory, Research, and Practice."
January 14, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Congrats to Kiara! 🥳
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:09 PM
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
shel silverstein was a prophet
December 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM
shel silverstein was a prophet
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
🤓Do students take context into account when planning how to study?
We examine how students plan their use of cognitive vs. motivational learning strategies, and whether they take learning context into account. They do, but mainly for cognitive strategies.
We examine how students plan their use of cognitive vs. motivational learning strategies, and whether they take learning context into account. They do, but mainly for cognitive strategies.
December 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🤓Do students take context into account when planning how to study?
We examine how students plan their use of cognitive vs. motivational learning strategies, and whether they take learning context into account. They do, but mainly for cognitive strategies.
We examine how students plan their use of cognitive vs. motivational learning strategies, and whether they take learning context into account. They do, but mainly for cognitive strategies.
Ideas for improving California’s school funding formula come with billion-dollar costs; here’s why
edsource.org/2025/califor...
edsource.org/2025/califor...
Ideas for improving California’s school funding formula come with billion-dollar costs; here’s why
A new report by the Public Policy Institute of California estimates the cost of various reforms to California's education funding formula.
edsource.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Ideas for improving California’s school funding formula come with billion-dollar costs; here’s why
edsource.org/2025/califor...
edsource.org/2025/califor...
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
Our paper on the ☀️ "summer slide" 🛝 is out now @pnas.org!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
December 16, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Our paper on the ☀️ "summer slide" 🛝 is out now @pnas.org!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
1 DOWN!
1 TO GO!
Great warmup exercise!
We still got our eyes on the big prize!
But that’s later though!
For now…
CUE THE MUSIC!!!
1 TO GO!
Great warmup exercise!
We still got our eyes on the big prize!
But that’s later though!
For now…
CUE THE MUSIC!!!
a basketball game is being played in front of a crowd with the words go ny go ny go !!!
ALT: a basketball game is being played in front of a crowd with the words go ny go ny go !!!
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:09 AM
1 DOWN!
1 TO GO!
Great warmup exercise!
We still got our eyes on the big prize!
But that’s later though!
For now…
CUE THE MUSIC!!!
1 TO GO!
Great warmup exercise!
We still got our eyes on the big prize!
But that’s later though!
For now…
CUE THE MUSIC!!!
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
Honored to be included in this list! Our study (with @damcotto.bsky.social) examined how students ("capable problem solvers") may benefit from using scratch paper because they are able to offload information from their working memory and reintegrate it later.
Our annual research roundup is here!
Here are 10 takeaways from this year’s must-read education studies—from the power of brain breaks to groundbreaking research on AI, cell phones, and handwriting in the classroom. 🧠✍️
#EdResearch #EduSky
Here are 10 takeaways from this year’s must-read education studies—from the power of brain breaks to groundbreaking research on AI, cell phones, and handwriting in the classroom. 🧠✍️
#EdResearch #EduSky
The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2025
We’re back with our roundup of the most insightful studies of the year, from the power of brain breaks to groundbreaking research on AI, cell phones, and handwriting in the classroom.
edut.to
December 14, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Honored to be included in this list! Our study (with @damcotto.bsky.social) examined how students ("capable problem solvers") may benefit from using scratch paper because they are able to offload information from their working memory and reintegrate it later.
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
Public-focusing science is a critical part of what we do as researchers. Whether that's science writing, engaging with policymakers & practitioners, these feed back into our work. My grandfather used to say to not forget to talk to people outside of academia. And I think that's stuck with me.
A New Publicly Engaged Research Pathway to Tenure (opinion)
Recognizing the societal impact of research in the tenure and promotion process is important for restoring public trust in universities.
www.insidehighered.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Public-focusing science is a critical part of what we do as researchers. Whether that's science writing, engaging with policymakers & practitioners, these feed back into our work. My grandfather used to say to not forget to talk to people outside of academia. And I think that's stuck with me.
Closed out another great year with the lab 🥳 Lab lunch 🍜 Grateful that I get to work with many brilliant minds everyday @berkeleyeducation.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Closed out another great year with the lab 🥳 Lab lunch 🍜 Grateful that I get to work with many brilliant minds everyday @berkeleyeducation.bsky.social
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
One Haitian woman “showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled,” her attorney said.
December 8, 2025 at 2:27 PM
One Haitian woman “showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled,” her attorney said.
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
I'm co-organizing a toy drive. If you can donate, thank you. If you can share with others, thank you.
Toy Drive list: bit.ly/48pJUrK
Teen Gift list: amzn.to/4rDn7BG
Toy Drive list: bit.ly/48pJUrK
Teen Gift list: amzn.to/4rDn7BG
December 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I'm co-organizing a toy drive. If you can donate, thank you. If you can share with others, thank you.
Toy Drive list: bit.ly/48pJUrK
Teen Gift list: amzn.to/4rDn7BG
Toy Drive list: bit.ly/48pJUrK
Teen Gift list: amzn.to/4rDn7BG
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
Original post deleted (it's better that way) but this is a really useful thread on the history of eugenics so I wanted to share
December 4, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Original post deleted (it's better that way) but this is a really useful thread on the history of eugenics so I wanted to share
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81
Star of The Harder They Come had hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want and I Can See Clearly Now
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81
“Opponents have also long argued that they are designed around Danish cultural norms and point out they are administered in Danish, rather than Kalaallisut, the mother tongue of most Greenlanders.
This can lead to misunderstandings, they say”
This can lead to misunderstandings, they say”
Horrific use of psychological testing, up there with the 20th century's worst practices: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Greenlandic families fight to get children back after parenting tests banned
The Danish government has banned the use of parental competency tests on Greenlandic families after decades of criticism.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“Opponents have also long argued that they are designed around Danish cultural norms and point out they are administered in Danish, rather than Kalaallisut, the mother tongue of most Greenlanders.
This can lead to misunderstandings, they say”
This can lead to misunderstandings, they say”
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
Jamaica Kincaid has a beautiful spotlight, written by fellow Caribbean writer Edwidge Danticat, in the New Yorker Classics today 😊
link.newyorker.com/view/5c92b48...
link.newyorker.com/view/5c92b48...
The New Yorker Classics Newsletter
link.newyorker.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Jamaica Kincaid has a beautiful spotlight, written by fellow Caribbean writer Edwidge Danticat, in the New Yorker Classics today 😊
link.newyorker.com/view/5c92b48...
link.newyorker.com/view/5c92b48...
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
I wrote a piece for The Conversation on the importance of SNAP for reducing food insecurity and improving child health. I’d love it if you would read and share!
Recent SNAP cuts and the government shutdown are disrupting food access for millions of children. A developmental psychologist explains why this matters: food insecurity in childhood predicts higher cardiovascular risks in adulthood, worse mental health and academic problems. buff.ly/GEHkiZr
SNAP benefits have been cut and disrupted – causing more kids to go without enough healthy food and harming child development
Having stable access to nutritious food sets children up for better mental and physical health into adulthood.
theconversation.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:26 AM
I wrote a piece for The Conversation on the importance of SNAP for reducing food insecurity and improving child health. I’d love it if you would read and share!
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
WE WON!!!
The US District Court for the Northern District of California has issued a preliminary injunction in AAUP et al v. Trump et al (the wall to wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of Title VI to reshape the University of California system.
Read the order here:
The US District Court for the Northern District of California has issued a preliminary injunction in AAUP et al v. Trump et al (the wall to wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of Title VI to reshape the University of California system.
Read the order here:
democracyforward.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:21 AM
WE WON!!!
The US District Court for the Northern District of California has issued a preliminary injunction in AAUP et al v. Trump et al (the wall to wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of Title VI to reshape the University of California system.
Read the order here:
The US District Court for the Northern District of California has issued a preliminary injunction in AAUP et al v. Trump et al (the wall to wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of Title VI to reshape the University of California system.
Read the order here:
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
Education colleagues: I am partnering with middle- and high-school math teachers in DE, PA, and MD to look at how belonging-supportive instruction shapes students' math experiences (see infographic). Teachers can participate in 2025 or early 2026. Please share w/ teachers who may be interested!
November 13, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Education colleagues: I am partnering with middle- and high-school math teachers in DE, PA, and MD to look at how belonging-supportive instruction shapes students' math experiences (see infographic). Teachers can participate in 2025 or early 2026. Please share w/ teachers who may be interested!
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
On election day, I wanna announce that I am recruiting social psych PhD students for my lab at UIC. My lab focuses on racial identities (esp Asian, Latino, MENA Americans) and intra-minority conflict/ coalition. So please tell your students to pick me! All details on my website: www.pbandjlab.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
On election day, I wanna announce that I am recruiting social psych PhD students for my lab at UIC. My lab focuses on racial identities (esp Asian, Latino, MENA Americans) and intra-minority conflict/ coalition. So please tell your students to pick me! All details on my website: www.pbandjlab.com
Reposted by Dana Miller-Cotto
Mamdani: "New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant."
November 5, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Mamdani: "New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant."