Launched in Fall, 2018, The BCI’s Intellectual Virtues Development Project, headed by Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, investigates the neurobiological foundations of mental qualities conducive to scholarly achievement, ethics and excellence, including intellectual curiosity, humility, agency, and thoroughness, among others. The project involves experienced middle and high school teachers serving in low-SES urban public schools and their students, and is funded by the Templeton Foundation, the Army Research Labs-West Collaboration grant from ICT, and other sources.
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang received a Spencer Foundation mid-career fellowship for 2018-2019. Her project focuses on integrating insights from social-affective neuroscience into education research and policy on social, emotional and academic development (SEAD) at the local, district, state and national levels. She is working with Linda Darling-Hammond of Stanford University and the Learning Policy Institute; Doug Knecht of the Bank Street College of Education; and Annmarie Palincsar of University of Michigan.
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang served as elected president of the International Mind, Brain and Education Society from 2016-2018. In September, 2018 she hosted the society’s 6th biennial conference at USC, at the BCI and at the Tutor Hall Campus Center. Over 300 people attended from 22 countries.