Sixty years ago, a small group of scientists founded the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) with a clear and ambitious goal: to generate knowledge that would improve children’s lives, strengthen families, and inform public policy. That mission still guides FPG today.

Since its beginning, FPG has been driven by the belief that every child deserves a safe, healthy, and stimulating childhood. Over six decades, the Institute’s research and evaluation, implementation work, technical assistance, and outreach have helped shape how children are supported and educated in North Carolina, across the nation, and around the world.

Just as important as the work itself are the people behind it. Today, more than 200 investigators, staff, faculty fellows, postdoctoral researchers, visiting scholars, and graduate and undergraduate assistants carry forward FPG’s mission in collaboration with partners at UNC and beyond. Together, they bring research into real-world settings—sharing evidence-based practices, supporting professionals, and helping ensure that knowledge leads to meaningful change.

That commitment is captured in FPG’s motto: Advancing knowledge to transform children’s lives. It is also reflected in the voices of the FPG community.

As part of FPG’s 60th anniversary celebration, the Institute has been sharing stories and videos that look back on its history, highlight its present work, and imagine its future. One of the most meaningful efforts invited community members to answer a simple question: “Why FPG?” Their responses do more than underscore the Institute’s influence in the field. They reveal a community united by purpose—committed to collaboration, innovation, and translating research into practice for children and families.

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“I work at FPG because it brings together a diverse group of people who are all passionate about improving children’s lives. I value the varied perspectives and the colleagues who consistently push me to elevate my work,” Heather Aiken, PhD, research scientist.

“I work at FPG because it is a unique research institute that gives me opportunities to collaborate with transdisciplinary investigators, researchers, and staff to conduct meaningful work and make a positive impact on individual development from childhood onward,” Ping Chen, PhD, social science research methodologist.

“FPG’s work is important because we help the people and agencies serving children do their work,” Gisele Crawford, MAA, social research specialist.

“FPG’s work is impactful because it connects research to practice, starting in early childhood and working with communities to create real, lasting change for children and families. I’m grateful to be part of this work,” Maria Daza Gil, social research assistant.

“FPG is impactful because its research meaningfully improves the lives of children and families by translating developmental science into real-world policy and practice,” Torica Exume, PhD, research scientist.

“I work at FPG because I get to work where research and practice intersect. We collaborate with amazing partners who are committed to children's behavioral health and overall well-being across settings, which creates opportunities to apply lessons and practices from the research environment to their specific local contexts,” Lena Harris, MSW, implementation specialist.

“I work at FPG because it's a supportive environment that fosters creativity and innovation, so I can learn new things every day while working on pursuing my passion for early childhood inclusion,” Jani Kozlowski, MA, technical assistance specialist.

“FPG is really impactful because the work we do is engaged in education systems and other communities. And, by that, I mean that we are really responsive to, the communities and what they want and need from us as researchers and implementation scientists [and] technical assistance providers,” Desiree Murray, PhD, senior research scientist.

“FPG is impactful because it sits at the intersection of research and real-world application—not just publishing findings, but translating research for families, practitioners, and policymakers,” Sandra Soliday-Hong, PhD, senior research scientist.

“I work at FPG because I have the belief that your address shouldn't determine your access. The strategies and resources that we put in place here are designed to support all. Whether your zip code allows you to have as many opportunities as another,” Correy Watkins, MEd, implementation specialist.

“FPG’s work is important because investigators here partner with practitioners and policymakers to ensure that findings are relevant, shared, translated, and applied in practice and policy settings to improve the lives of children and families,” Noreen Yazejian, PhD, senior research scientist.

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As FPG celebrates 60 years of impact, these reflections honor not only the Institute’s history, but also the people whose dedication continues to bring its mission to life every day. Together, they show that FPG’s legacy is not only measured in research and innovation, but in the lasting difference that work makes for children, families, and communities. With that foundation, the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute looks ahead to its next chapter with the same sense of purpose that has guided it from the beginning.