David Osher

American Institutes for Research

Vice president and Institute Fellow

David Osher is a vice president and Institute fellow at American Institutes for Research. He is a historical sociologist who received his AM and PHD from Columbia University. He taught and served as dean of innovative schools at several colleges and universities. His work focuses on dynamic social-emotional-cognitive processes and the dynamic organizational and social conditions that support robust learning and thriving. His interests include the sciences of learning and development; socio-cultural-historical processes; knowledge use; the conditions for learning, engagement, and thriving; consumer-driven approaches; equity; collaboration; implementation science; and leveraging AI. His domestic and global work includes research and practice. He has led major national centers (e.g., the National Center For Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention and The National Center For Safe, Supportive, Learning Environments); major evaluations (e.g., global evaluation of UNICEF's Child friendly schools and the collaborating districts [SEL]initiative); national surveys and district/organizational audits; systematic reviews; expert panels for the White House, senior department officials, and foundations; the development of school climate surveys, SEL assessments, and dashboards for community collaborations and state systems. He is co-lead editor of the 2023 and 2025 Review of Research in Education. His recent books include The Science of Learning and Development; Keeping Students Safe and Helping Them Thrive; and Creating Safe, Equitable, Engaging Schools. He is an AERA fellow and received The Juanita Cunningham Evans Memorial Award for Contributions in School Mental Health and the Joseph Zins Distinguished Scholar Award for Outstanding Contributions to Action Research in Social and Emotional Learning.