Irem Korucu, Ph.D., is an associate research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Her research broadly focuses on the development of executive function and school readiness skills. Irem is particularly interested in investigating the influences of contextual factors on the development of executive function and subsequent academic and social-emotional outcomes. Her research also focuses on the development and evaluation of interventions that strengthen school readiness skills prior to kindergarten entry.

Irem joined the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence after receiving her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Purdue University, and her M.A. and B.S. in Developmental Psychology from Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey. Her work at the Center focuses on the associations between executive function, emotional intelligence, and academic skills. Irem’s research specifically focuses on socio-economically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse children with the aim of reducing the existing opportunity and achievement gaps, as well as informing policies and practices to promote the well-being of children and families in local and global contexts.