Global research and strategy firm Playscience has launched its first PlayLab research facility in New York, and made three new hires including former Joan Ganz Cooney Center veteran Carly Shuler.

PlayLab is a kid- and family-friendly research and incubation facility focusing on innovation in areas including interactive media and gaming.

Joining the facility is Shuler (pictured) in the newly created strategy lead position, and Brittney Huntington and Emily Schlemmer as research associates.

In her new role based in Canada, Shuler will head up thought leadership initiatives in the play, technology and education landscape. During her time at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, Shuler focused on initiatives concerning consumer trends, informal learning and mobile devices.

Huntington joins PlayLab while currently completing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Fordham University while Schlemmer comes to the facility after finishing her Master’s degree in Technology, Innovation, and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.