Nathan Burroughs

Nathan Burroughs studies early childhood and K-12 systems, having served as principal investigator for multiple federally and state-funded projects focused on educational labor markets, educational opportunity, and access to quality child care. Notable examples of his research include multiple U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Child Care Research Partnership Grants, the Michigan Child Care Market Rate Study, U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act workforce evaluations, examination of coordinated enrollment policies, and a study of educational labor markets supported by the state of Michigan. He is the author of two books on international education and has expertise in a wide range of methods during more than 15 years of experience in state, local, national, and international research. 

A strong quantitative researcher with a background in advanced statistical analysis and both experimental and quasi-experimental studies (including multi-level modeling, randomized controlled trials, survival analysis, etc.), Dr. Burroughs also has expertise with qualitative research. He has developed and overseen multiple large-scale focus group and interview studies in the child care field, employing rigorous piloting and validation methodologies to solicit insights from families, child care providers, and caseworkers. 

Further, Dr. Burroughs has placed a strong emphasis on measuring policy and program implementation, including an innovative study developing measures of administrative burden. Dr. Burroughs received training in statistics, data analysis, and research design. He also has both formal and practical training in administration, experience as a leader of multiple volunteer organizations, and as vice president of a school board.