Robin Lasota
Applied, Collaborative, Mixed Methods Researcher in Child Welfare, Education, and Social Services
- Role
- Director of Translational Research at Northern Illinois University
- Location
- Champaign, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Robin Lasota
I am a mixed-methods researcher, program evaluator, and technical assistance provider in the field of education, human services, and youth development. Since June 2018, I started as Director of the Office of Translational Research, which serves as a bridging role connecting research with child welfare practice. The Office of Translational Research is funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and sponsored by Northern Illinois University, as of July 2025. This work is highly rewarding and challenging focused on applied research, data-informed decision-making, and more. Previously the Office of Translational Research was sponsored at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work.From 2014 to 2022, I served as part-time Senior Research Scientist with the Development Services Group, Inc.(DSG), which is a woman-owned small business based in Bethesda, MD that conducts social science research in education, criminal justice, and behavioral health. I joined DSG in August 2014 following a post-doctoral appointment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign after receiving my PhD in 2013 from the University of Washington in Education Leadership and Policy Studies. Through 2021, I served as a Principal Investigator for a meta-analysis study on the effects of college aid programs, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences. My experience at DSG included the conduct of research assessments for the What Works Clearinghouse. Previously at DSG, I worked on a research synthesis for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education; research review and practice guide development for the What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Review and Support for Post-Secondary Education, for the Institute of Education Sciences; and assistance with evidence-based repositories, such as the National Institute of Justice’s CrimeSolutions.gov and the National Registry for Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). Specialties: mixed methods research, case study research, multi-level modeling, transformative change of organizations, grant writing, technical writing, program management, policy analysis, program evaluation, government relations, foundation relations, program development, arts advocacy and development
Experience
Director of Translational Research
Jul 2025 — Present
Education
Oberlin College
BA, government, urban studies, sociology
1986 — 1990
Stanford University
Masters, Education Policy, Evaluation, Administration
1995 — 1996
University of Washington
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Educational Policy and Leadership Studies: Higher Education
2008 — 2013
Skills
- Data Analysis
- Technical Writing
- Report Writing
- Fundraising
- Teaching
- Program Management
- Strategy
- Organizational Development
- Statistics
- Research
- Research Design
- Community Outreach
- Staff Development
- Leadership Development
- Editing
- Curriculum Development
- Program Evaluation
- Training
- Government
- Nonprofits
- Spss
- Analysis
- Leadership
- Grant Writing
- Project Management
- Higher Education
- Capacity Building
- Proposal Writing
- Policy
- Program Development
- Qualitative Research
- Curriculum Design
- Grants
- Non-Profits
- Policy Analysis
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