Dr. Brandon Clifford

Senior Research Analyst

bclifford@niet.org

Dr. Brandon Clifford supports and leads research, evaluation, and scholarship efforts at NIET to strengthen the organization's work and impact. He earned his PhD in Family and Human Development at Arizona State University, studying how environmental factors shape children's language and social development. Before joining NIET, he spent several years as a Senior Analyst/Statistician with a behavioral health consulting firm, and as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar examining dual language development in children of Mexican-origin mothers. Outside work, you'll find Brandon following sports, playing basketball, tending to his garden and indoor plants, and enjoying time with his partner and two cats.

Who is your favorite teacher?

Mrs. Sherrie Whitney was my favorite teacher because of her fiery, no-nonsense approach to my high school algebra class. She brought real expectations and genuine warmth to the classroom, creating an environment where students felt both challenged and respected. That combination of high standards and genuine care shaped how I think about helping others grow.

What was your favorite subject in school and why?

I was fascinated by social studies and geography throughout my school years because they revealed how societies and people connect and interact across communities. I had plans to join the department of state or an intelligence agency until I pivoted towards studying human development. I take both of these lenses with me as I travel to other countries and get to see how culture, family, and place shape who people become.