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From Data to Decisions: Transforming Research Into Action For Early Childhood

Thursday 12 Mar 2026
From 9AM To 5PM

As part of its thematic year, CIRANO, in collaboration with CIQSS, the Maison des affaires publiques et internationales of the Université de Montréal, and OPES, is organizing a conference on early childhood and education research, bringing together researchers, decision-makers and practitioners. 

The aim of this day is to highlight recent work in early childhood and education, as well as new databases with strong potential to inform public policy.

It will open with presentations by Catherine Haeck, who will introduce the Quebec Children's Database and then present the results of an ongoing research project on ADHD. Ophélie Collet and Sylvana Côté will then examine the role of educational preparation in the development of mathematical skills, as well as school readiness among multilingual children, in relation to childcare and preschool education in Quebec. A speech by Alexandre Blanchet, Commissioner for Children's Welfare and Rights, will provide an overview of the scientific role, collaborations and priorities of the Commissioner's Office regarding data.

The day will continue with presentations by Dominique Tambosso d'Abilio on the translation of scientific knowledge into practice. The effects of family environment, socio-emotional skills and housing on children's well-being and trajectories will then be addressed by Laurie Charest, Abdel-Hamid Bello and Pierre-Loup Beauregard. Finally, the issues of boys’ under-schooling and investment in early childhood education will be discussed by Robert Lacroix and Nicolas Charette, before concluding with presentations by Christa Japel and Philip Merrigan on the role and effects of early childhood centers (CPEs) in child development.  

To conclude the event, a cocktail reception will be offered to in-person participants.
 

   

Beauregard, Pierre-Loup
Ph.D. candidate, University of British Columbia
Bello, Abdel-Hamid
Postdoctoral Fellow, Université Laval
Blanchet, Alexandre
Director, Strategic Analysis and Social Transformation, Commissaire au bien-être et aux droits des enfants du Québec
Bourgeois, Laurence
Student (Ph.D.), Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Charest, Laurie
Ph.D. candidate, Université de Montréal
Charette, Nicolas
Regular Research Professional
Coordinator
Contact person
Collet, Ophélie
PhD student, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal
Côté, Sylvana
CIRANO Researcher
Full Professor, Université de Montréal
Ph.D. Psychology, Université de Montréal
Dufour, Genevieve
Director of Major Collaborative Projects
Projects Director
CIRANO
M.Sc., Economic Sciences, Université de Montréal
Haeck, Catherine
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Full Professor, École des sciences de la gestion de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (ESG-UQAM)
Ph.D., Economics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Japel, Christa
Professor, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Lacroix, Robert
Co-founder and Fellow CIRANO
Ph.D., Economics, University of Louvain
Emeritus Professor and Rector, Université de Montréal
Merrigan, Philip
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Professor, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Ph.D., Economics, Université de Montréal
Sirois, Marc
Chief Statistician, Institut de la statistique du Québec
Tambosso, Dominique
General Manager, Abilio

Program

8:45 - 9:00
Welcome
9:00 - 9:10
Opening Remarks
9:10 - 9:25
Speech
Marc Sirois
9:25 - 10:55
“Enfants Québec” Data – Potential and Uses
Catherine Haeck, Sylvana Côté, Ophélie Collet
10:55 - 11:10
Break
11:10 - 12:00
Data and Field Practices
Alexandre Blanchet, Dominique Tambosso
12:00 - 13:15
Lunch
13:15 - 14:10
Family and Preschool Environment
Laurie Charest, Abdel-Hamid Bello, Pierre-Loup Beauregard
14:10 - 14:25
Break
14:25 - 15:15
What is happening with men's human capital?
15:15 - 15:35
Evaluate the impact of a structured science curriculum on children, teachers, and the classroom environment
Christa Japel, Laurence Bourgeois
15:35 - 15:55
The Effects of Daycare Policy on Mothers' Work
15:55 - 16:05
Discussion Period
16:05 - 16:50
Panel Discussion
Catherine Haeck, Dominique Tambosso, Alexandre Blanchet, Genevieve Dufour, Sylvana Côté
16:50 - 17:00
Closing Remarks
17:00 - 19:00
Cocktail

Location


1130 Rue Sherbrooke O #1400, Montréal, QC H3A 2M8, Canada