2026 CDS DMCD

2026 CDS Pre-Conference Workshop

Children and Technology:

Emerging Scholars, Emerging Methods, Emerging Directions

Thursday, April 9, 2026, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Salon Bonaventure, Hotel Bonaventure

Montréal, Canada

Workshop Summary:

Children’s options for technological informants have expanded to include an array of tools, apps, and websites in a complex digital environment. As we stand on the precipice of an era defined by its widespread use of AI, this workshop asks emerging scholars at the intersection of child development and digital technology to consider new directions and how we can come together to answer big questions posed by researchers, educators, policy makers, and, vitally, the families most impacted by our shifting digital landscape. The workshop features a panel discussion on current directions in the field, a set of methodology flash talks followed by round table discussions, and a poster session showcasing emerging work. Importantly, senior scholars will participate in the convening as moderators, discussants, and mentors to facilitate connections with early-career researchers.

Workshop Schedule

Two Panels of Speakers

Poster Presentations

Mentoring Program

The current research landscape will be weighed in two panels of speakers: Children’s Perceptions of Technology (Panel 1), Methodology Flash Talks and Roundtable Discussion (Panel 2).

In addition, workshop attendees will have the opportunity to share their own research through poster presentations that are designed to connect junior scholars, emerging scholars, and top researchers in one-on-one discussions. We will also match junior scholars with established researchers for informal mentoring. Poster & mentoring applications open on Wednesday, February 11 and close on Thursday, March 19.

Names and Contact information of the workshop organizers:

Dr. Elizabeth Goldman| Assistant Professor | Psychology | Yeshiva University | elizabeth.goldman@yu.edu

Dr. Anna Baumann | Postdoctoral Fellow | Psychology | University of Calgary | anna.baumann@ucalgary.ca

Dr. Meryem Seyda Ozcan | Postdoctoral Fellow | Human Development and Family Science | Virginia Tech | seyda24@vt.edu

Dr. Koeun Choi | Associate Professor | Human Development and Family Science | Virginia Tech | koeun@vt.edu

Funding:

The costs of the pre-conference workshop are offset by grants to Dr. Koeun Choi.

Note: Use the drop-down menus in the top-right corner of this page for information about scheduling, invited presenters, opportunities to present your own research, and more. For visitors using a small screen (e.g., a mobile device), find a clickable menu button in the top left-hand corner of the screen.