Vanderbilt Peabody College professor named inaugural Jackie Bezos Researcher in Residence

Andrew Nalani, assistant professor of human and organizational development, has joined the Bezos Family Foundation as an inaugural scholar of the Jackie Bezos Researcher in Residence program. Nalani began the one-year residency program on August 18, taking a leave of absence from his faculty position at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development.

As a researcher in residence, Nalani will lead research projects, offer scholarly expertise and advise the foundation on establishing research priorities and its research investment strategy.

"It is an honor to join the foundation as they advance their mission to help young people reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities. During my residency, I will focus on reimagining supports for early career scholars pursuing community-engaged research and bringing scientific evidence of youth civic development to inform funding priorities," Nalani said.

Nalani's scholarship focuses on the organizational dynamics that affect youth civic development, particularly in community- and school-based settings, and in relation to the influences of cultural, religious, and political beliefs. He is a research scholar with the Society for Community Research and Action. In recognition of his scholarship, Nalani received the 2022 Social Policy Article Publication Award from the Society for Research on Adolescence.

The Bezos Family Foundation

The Bezos Family Foundation is an independent, nonprofit private Foundation founded by Mike and Jackie Bezos, who along with their family serve as the Foundation's directors. Since 2001, the Foundation has partnered with remarkable organizations and individuals to transform the preparation of young people from prenatal through young adulthood to pursue their own path for success and meaningfully contribute to society.