Dana Suskind, MD, is Founder and Co-Director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, Founding Director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, and Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Public Policy (affiliated) at the University of Chicago.
Dr. Suskind has dedicated her research and clinical life to optimizing foundational brain development and preventing early cognitive disparities from taking root, with an emphasis on helping parents and caregivers leverage their power as brain architects. Her pioneering research extends into the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and early childhood, exploring how emerging technologies can enhance—rather than replace—the pivotal role that caregivers play in building healthy young brains that are wired to learn, adapt, and connect. This body of work includes the creation of an AI-driven wearable device that promotes rich early language environments and helps deepen caregiver-child connection through conversation.
Dr. Suskind is a recognized thought leader on the national stage and celebrated author of “Thirty Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain” and “Parent Nation: Unlocking Every Child’s Potential, Fulfilling Society’s Promise.” Her next book, on AI and early childhood development, will be published by Penguin Dutton in the Fall of 2026. Dr. Suskind’s expertise has been recognized through numerous awards and featured in prominent media outlets including The New York Times, NPR, and The Economist. Through her unique lens as both a surgeon who harnesses technology to restore hearing and a researcher who champions human connection, Dr. Suskind continues to shape how we understand the delicate balance between technological innovation and nurturing child development.
Featured Resources
In her 2015 best-seller, Dr. Dana Suskind distills the science of early language acquisition and brain development and explains to readers the incredible importance of adult-child interaction.
Dr. Dana Suskind offers a revelatory new look at the neuroscience of early childhood development—and how it can guide us toward a future in which every child has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
A website dedicated to the ideas in Dr. Suskind’s book, “Parent Nation.” We’re bringing those ideas to life by Building a Parent Nation.
Dr. Dana Suskind discusses TMW Center research that reveals what parents know about early childhood development, and their role in promoting that development, impacts their behavior.
Socioeconomic gaps in child development open up early, with associated disparities in parental investments in children. Understanding the drivers of these disparities is key to designing effective policies.