Junlei Li, PhD

Junlei Li, PhD is Co-Chair of the Human Development and Education Program and the Saul Zaentz Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His research and practice focus on understanding and supporting the work of helpers – those who serve children and families on the frontlines of education and social services. Working in orphanages, schools, youth programs from North America to China, he develops the “Simple Interactions” approach to help identify what ordinary people do extraordinarily well with children in everyday moments. Dr. Li teaches about improving human interactions and supporting helpers, delivers keynote addresses and workshops for child-serving professionals nationally and internationally, and served on boards and advisory panels, including Parents as Teachers, Turrell Fund, Child Care Aware of America, and various initiatives at the U.S. Administration for Children and Families.