Julie Baran, Ms
About Julie Baran, Ms
Julie Baran is a Manager of Content Research at Sesame Workshop, where she develops data-driven visual reports. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University and a Master's degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Current Role at Sesame Workshop
Julie Baran serves as the Manager of Content Research at Sesame Workshop, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she develops data-compelled, story-driven visual reports that support the organization's mission of creating educational content for children. Her work focuses on utilizing research to inform and enhance content development, ensuring that it resonates with young audiences.
Educational Background
Julie Baran earned her Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University, where she studied from 2010 to 2014. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she completed graduate coursework in Social Work and Applied Psychology at Columbia University in the City of New York from 2017 to 2018.
Previous Work Experience
Before joining Sesame Workshop, Julie Baran held various positions in research and psychology. She worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Penn State University from 2012 to 2013 and later served as an Undergraduate Psychology Intern at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2014. From 2016 to 2019, she was a Research Coordinator I at the same hospital. She also worked as a Research Analyst and Senior Research Analyst at MarketCast from 2019 to 2020, and as a Newsletter Coordinator for the Children's Media Association during that time.
Research Expertise
Julie Baran possesses expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, which includes conducting in-home ethnographies and virtual research. Her skills enable her to gather and analyze data effectively, contributing to her role in content research. She is also fluent in 'kid-ese,' which enhances her ability to create engaging content tailored for children's media.
Creative Skills and Interests
In addition to her research capabilities, Julie Baran utilizes her arts and crafts skills to enhance creative content development. She has an extensive repertoire of children's books, games, and songs, which further enrich her content research efforts. This combination of creativity and research expertise allows her to contribute significantly to the development of engaging educational materials for children.