Ingrid Anderson, Ed.D., is an associate professor of practice at Portland State University, working in both the College of Education and the School of Social Work. Dr. Anderson is the program coordinator for the online Infant/Toddler Mental Health (ITMH) graduate certificate and works with Trauma Informed Oregon. Dr. Anderson leads initiatives that foster interdisciplinary and innovative community partnerships, creating opportunities for professional development, research, advocacy, and services to children and families.
Dr. Anderson’s research focuses on well-being in early childhood and the emotional lives of early childhood educators. She has secured over $4M since 2015 for student scholarships and research. Her current work focuses on supporting early childhood educators in rural Oregon, working to support culturally sustaining educational models in early childhood coursework professional development, and in early childhood mental health and trauma informed practices. In 2019, Dr. Anderson was named the College of Education Researcher of the Year and, in 2022, a Foundation for Child Development Young Scholar.
Dr. Anderson is a recognized advocate for integrating digital and physical learning environments in early childhood settings. Her project, Playing in Digital Spaces: Combining Physical and Digital Environments Together, funded by the Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood, explores innovative ways to enrich early learning experiences through digital integration. She is part of a consortium exploring Sustainability in Early Childhood Education.
Dr. Anderson works with early childhood education programs across the US and in Singapore and Peru. She is a member of the Oregon Child Care Research Partnership, and she serves on the Boards of the Oregon Child Development Coalition (seasonal and migrant Head Start) and Teaching Preschool Partners. Her books from Redleaf Press include Supporting Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Strength-Based Approach for Early Childhood Educators and Caring for Self: A Workbook for Early Childhood Educator Wellbeing. You can access the Workbook for Early Childhood Educator Wellbeing for free through The Ford Family Foundation Select Books if you live or work in Oregon.
She finds great joy in cooking the traditional recipes of her childhood. You can find her most weekends cooking arroz con gandules for family and friends, spending time reading, or exploring the Pacific Northwest.