Nell Duke is Co-Director and Literacy Lead of Great First Eight, a groundbreaking, full-day curriculum for children birth through age eight. She also serves as Strategic Advisor for Literacy at inquirED, Executive Director of the Center for Early Literacy and Learning Success at Stand for Children and Professor of Education and Psychology at the University of Michigan.

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Her work centers on the right to literacy and literacy development birth through age eight. She earned her master’s and doctorate in human development and psychology, with a concentration in language and literacy, from Harvard University. For 24 years, Nell served full time as a professor of education and psychology first at Michigan State University and then at the University of Michigan. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a Reading Hall of Fame inductee.