Meredith Larson

About Meredith Larson

I’m a curious, collaborative research analyst and program officer at the Institute of Education Sciences, where I oversaw projects ranging from PreK through adulthood and spearheaded work to ensure students were postsecondary ready, with a focus on intergenerational and adult learning. I thrive at the intersection of rigorous data and human-centered design—whether it’s directing a $21 million CREATE Adult Skills Research Network, standing up an interagency working group across ED, DOL, and HHS, or rolling out a SharePoint portal and database to streamline federal workflows. What I Do Translate research into action: I build community-driven partnerships so local leaders and practitioners can find, digest, and apply evidence-based interventions—everything from cutting-edge ed-tech pilots to psychosocial coaching programs. Manage complex investments: As a COR on $3 M IDIQ contracts, I ensure taxpayer dollars fuel only the highest-impact initiatives, on time and on budget. Mentor the next generation: I’ve designed internship pipelines (1–6 interns/year), served as a Girl Scout troop leader, and tutored adult literacy learners and refugee children—because empowering individuals fuels systemic change. Where I Came From Before I dove into federal research, I trained as a cognitive psychologist and linguist, designing tailored curricula for learners of all ages. What I’m Looking For I’m energized by rigorous challenges that demand attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and a healthy dose of empathy. Let’s connect if you’re seeking someone who can bridge research and practice to help communities thrive.

Experience

1. Federal Contract Officer Representative

   U.S. Department Of Education

   Sep 2010 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   I oversee research grants relevant to improving adult education and postsecondary education and training grants for postdoctoral fellowship training. I am also a certified Contracting Officer\'s Representative (COR), overseeing the production of research papers, syntheses, and other written documents as well as the development of databases for tracking research projects.

Education

• Northern Illinois University

  MA Cognitive Psychology, MA English/Linguistics, BA English Literature, Cognitive and Instructional Psychology, Linguistics, English Literature

  1997 — 2009

• Northwestern University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Linguistics