Innovate. Optimize. Improve.
American Institutes for Research (AIR) partners with developers and practitioners in education, health, workforce, and related fields to conduct efficacy-oriented R&D to accelerate program development and maximize impact.
Our Approach Is
Comprehensive
AIR uses a tailored and comprehensive approach to apply rigorous evaluation methods to measure impact and guide the continuous improvement of programs. We leverage our methodological and content expertise to design and conduct rigorous but flexible R&D and evaluations that generate actionable results quickly.
Our Approach Is
Tailored
We match the appropriate experimental methodology to the complexity of real interventions, in the fields of education, workforce, health, and more. Developers and users of interventions, products, and strategies need high-quality and timely information about what is and is not working, and information about what can be improved and how. The type of information needed will vary depending on the stage of development of the strategy, approach or intervention.
Our Approach Is
Rigorous
Our experts use rigorous research methods appropriate for each stage of development. Experiments can be used to select the best presentation of the intervention materials in the usability stage or to support iterative R&D in an effort to “optimize” programs. Small-scale, fast-turnaround experiments can generate early evidence of program efficacy, and large-scale experiments can document program effectiveness.
Our Approach Utilizes
Experienced Experts
Our staff has the expertise and experience to apply rigorous methods in every stage of the development, having designed and conducted high quality development, efficacy and effectiveness trials for over a decade.
Jessica Heppen, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research & Evaluation
Jessica Heppen specializes in research methods and the application of innovative, rigorous designs to address complex problems in education and related fields. Jessica has particular expertise in studying educational technologies and has also conducted research on a wide range of issues, policies, and interventions related to effective teaching and professional development, high school improvement, and dropout prevention. Her current emphasis is on designing rapid-cycle studies for rigorous and thoughtful R&D, with a goal of enhancing promising practices and strategies and improving critical outcomes.
Contact Jessica at jheppen@air.org
Anja Kurki, Ph.D.
Managing Researcher
Anja Kurki specializes in behavioral interventions and innovative research for continuous improvement. Currently, Anja’s methodological focus is on developing rigorous research designs for R&D and fast cycle evaluations of educational and behavioral interventions through the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST), with a particular focus on the development and evaluation of adaptive interventions.
Contact Anja Kurki at akurki@air.org
Seth Brown, M.A., M.P.A.
Senior Researcher
Seth Brown specializes in study design, data analysis, and data management. His current methodological focus is on developing study designs aimed at providing policymakers and intervention developers with information about early evidence of effectiveness.
Contact Seth Brown at sbrown@air.org
Ryan Williams, Ph.D.
Senior Researcher
Ryan Williams leads a wide range of research and evaluation projects across multiple practice areas. Much of his work relates to the design and analysis of experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Ryan also leads applications of measurement and psychometrics in his evaluation projects. His methodological research interests are related to advancing methods for research synthesis and meta-analysis and for improving causal inferences from quasi-experimental research. His recent publications include articles in Educational Researcher, Educational and Psychological Measurement, and Research Synthesis Methods
Contact Ryan Williams at rwilliams@air.org
Our Approach Promotes
Close Partnerships
Our research experts work closely with practitioners, technical assistance providers, and intervention developers — we are fluent in translating research to practice and practice to research. We have extensive experience working with education and healthcare organizations, and product and program developers, to support the development of evidence-based strategies and bring them to scale.