John Hagen's current work is concerned with cognition as well as motivation in students at several levels from elementary to high school to college age. Research on positive development is based on the studies from the SEARCH institute on positive development in youth. Several different populations are included, i.e. youth in foster care, university students, students with learning difficulties, and student athletes.

Another research program includes cognitive development from the preschool age through adolescence. Attention, memory, and intellective functioning are studied, especially as they relate to academic performance and other behavioral aspects in children with chronic illnesses or learning problems. Predictors or factors have been identified in children with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, including age of onset, and it is clear that at least some of the sequelae of the disease are related to changes in control or voluntary processes. Likewise, in studies of students with learning disabilities and other achievement problems, findings have been similar, supporting control processes as key in areas of memory, attention, and academic achievement.

Another program of research concerns analyses of the content of the journals published by the Society for Research in Child Development. Initial studies began in 1930 and mapped trends until 1991. Current research is focused on the decade of the 90's through 2005. The findings have been presented at several professional meetings and will be summarized in a chapter during 2005.

John Hagen is the Executive Officer of the Society for Research in Child Development.