Scott Ryan

Dr. Scott Ryan has demonstrated sustained innovation in research by advancing new lines of inquiry in adoption and child welfare while applying creative, rigorous methodologies to address critical challenges facing vulnerable children and families. In recognition of this work, he has received the 2026 Innovation in Research Award, with his current research standing out for its innovative scale and design—leveraging one of the largest adoption-specific datasets, integrating cross-population insights, and combining administrative data, policy analysis, and implementation strategies to generate actionable, system-level solutions.