Northern Illinois University
Department of Psychology
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Biography

Robin R. LaSota, Ph.D., is Director of Translational Research in the Psychology Department at Northern Illinois University, as part of a contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Grounded in principles of justice, equity, and healing-centered engagement, she directs the Office of Translational Research in designing and supporting implementation of actionable, data-driven solutions which promote workforce excellence, improve family and employee well-being, foster innovative and equity-driven practice, and enhance organizational capacity. 

LaSota applies her experience in evidence assessment for national registries and mixed-methods research training to evidence-based decision-making in state-level service delivery focused on the well-being of children, youth, and families. She champions collaborative approaches to engaging individuals with lived expertise alongside researchers and practitioners to transform shared knowledge into sustainable practical application.

Based in Champaign, Illinois, LaSota utilizes her experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative data analyses, integrated mixed-methods research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and evidence gap maps to support organizational leaders, policymakers, and researchers in actionable decision-making to help children, youth, and families grow and thrive.

Research Areas of Interest

• Cultivating research-practice partnerships in child welfare
• Developing organizational supports guiding evidence-based and data-informed decision-making towards improved child, youth, and family well-being
• Supporting race, cultural, and gender identity resilience among children and youth with lived experience in care
• Bolstering supports to address inequities in educational access and opportunities among vulnerable student populations

Selected Publications in Child Welfare

Cross, T., Fox, H. L., Landa, C., LaSota, R., Thebaud, M., Hines, D…Steiner, M. J. (2024). Exploring the role of guardianship in effective and equitable permanency: Policy context and lessons learned. Urbana, IL: Children and Family Research Center. https://cfrc.illinois.edu/pubs/rp_20240229_ExploringTheRoleOfGuardianshipInEffectiveAndEquitablePermanency.pdf

Fox, H. L., LaSota, R., & Manthei, J. (2022). An exploratory analysis of transracial placements in Illinois. Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

LaSota, R., Lotspeich-Yadao, M., & Song, E. (2021). Community factors associated with average substitute care entry rates in Illinois. Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Lee, L., Tran, S., Braun, M., LaSota, R., & Fuller, T. (2021). Child welfare task force: Literature review, employer survey, and recommendations. Champaign, IL: Children and Family Research Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. https://cfrc.illinois.edu/pubs/rp_20210205_ChildWelfareWorkforceTaskForce:LiteratureReviewEmployerSurveyandRecommendations.pdf

Fuller, T., Lee, L., & LaSota, R. (2019). Illinois DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Review. Champaign, IL: Children and Family Research Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. https://cfrc.illinois.edu/pubs/rp_20191123_IllinoisDCFSChildAbuseAndNeglectHotlineReview.pdf

Selected Publications in Postsecondary Education

LaSota, R., Polanin, J. R., Perna, L. W., Rodgers, M. A., & Austin, M. J. (2024, April). Does Aid Matter? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Grant Aid on College Student Outcomes. Review of Educational Research, https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543241239955

LaSota, R., Perna, L. W., Polanin, J. R., Austin, M., Steingut, R., & Rodgers, M. (2021). The effects of losing postsecondary student grant aid: Results from a systematic review. Educational Researcher, online first. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X211056868  

Bailey, T., Bashford, J., Boatman, A., Squires, J., Weiss, M., Doyle, W., LaSota, R., Valentine, J. C., Polanin, J., Spinney, E., Wilson, W., Yeide, M., & Young, S. H. (2016). Strategies for Postsecondary Students in Developmental Education – A Practice Guide for College and University Administrators, Advisors, and Faculty. Washington, DC: Institute of Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/docs/practiceguide/wwc_dev_ed_112916.pdf

LaSota, R. & Zumeta, W. (2015, September). What matters in increasing community college students’ upward transfer to the baccalaureate degree: Findings from the Beginning Postsecondary Study 2003-2009. Research in Higher Education, 1-38. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-015-9381-z