Professor Daniel Ansari
Professor Daniel Ansari recognized for contributions to developmental psychology
Professor Daniel Ansari, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, has been recognized as the recipient of the 2026 Pickering Award for Outstanding Contribution to Developmental Psychology in Canada.
The award, presented by the Pickering Centre for Research in Human Development, recognizes exceptional contributions in leadership, mentorship, and research in the field of developmental psychology.
“Professor Daniel Ansari exemplifies the qualities that the Pickering Award seeks to honor,” said his nominator professor Bert De Smedt from KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences.
“His groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of children’s mathematical development, integrating behavioral and neuroscientific approaches to reveal the mechanisms underlying both typical and atypical learning. His dedication to mentorship has fostered the next generation of developmental psychologists in Canada and beyond.”
Ansari joined Western University in 2006 and is cross appointed in the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Social Science in the department of psychology. He is a past member of The College of the Royal Society of Canada, and a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.
Within the department of psychology, Ansari leads the Numerical Cognition Laboratory. The lab explores the developmental trajectory underlying both the typical and atypical development of numerical and mathematical skills, using both behavioral and neuroimaging methods – including their open-source Numeracy Screener. The Numeracy Screener measures a child’s ability to understand numerical quantity and can help to explain differences in children’s arithmetic skills.
“The ultimate goal [of the screener] is to find ways to use research to enable more kids to become fluent when it comes to numeracy and early math, so they can be set on the right foundations and have a choice of careers and life paths because they have solid numerical skills,” Ansari explained.
Ansari has been recognized for outstanding contributions to teaching at Western with the Faculty of Education’s Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award and the Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year Award. His profound impact as a mentor is echoed by Nadr Díaz-Simón, PhD candidate in psychology who submitted a letter of recommendation for the award on behalf of Ansari’s current trainees in the Numerical Cognition Laboratory.
“I can’t think of anyone who embodies the spirit of the Pickering Award more than Dr. Ansari,” said Díaz-Simón.
“Daniel has made enormous contributions to developmental psychology. More importantly, through his remarkable combination of intellectual brilliance, kindness and generosity, he has shaped and inspired an entire generation of professionals who are now making significant contributions of their own.”
Ansari will receive the award at the Pickering Centre’s annual conference Development: A Canadian Developmental Psychology Conference from June 2-3 where he will present the keynote address titled Numbers, brains, development and education: reflection on 25 years of research in numerical cognition.
“This award means a lot to me, especially because my present and former trainees nominated me. I am also deeply grateful to receive a national recognition,” said Ansari.
“I came to Canada 20 years ago now and this is home for me both personally and intellectually. I am very proud to be recognized for my contribution to the field of developmental psychology in Canada.”
