National association recognizes KU researchers for contributions that advance the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities
For its 150th anniversary, a national association representing thousands of research and education professionals in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities has recognized nine researchers affiliated with the University of Kansas Life Span Institute and the KU Department of Special Education.
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) presented their annual awards, which recognize significant contributions in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, and sesquicentennial awards in research, recognizing service, policy, practice, and advocacy, at the association’s annual meeting held June 22-26 in Chicago.
“The fact that AAIDD has seen fit to honor these investigators at this year’s annual conference serves to reinforce the elite global standing of the collaborative and interdisciplinary community we have in the area of intellectual and developmental disability,” said John Colombo, director of the Life Span Institute. “It is especially gratifying to note that, in honoring both our past investigators, and recognizing current researchers, AAIDD points to both our extraordinary history and our stellar present.”
The awards and recipients were:
Education Award
Karrie Shogren, Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education and director of the KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD)
Early Career Award
Lauren Bruno, assistant research professor and associate director of education and training at KUCD
International Award
Mayumi Hagiwara, former KU postdoctoral researcher, KUCD research collaborator, and associate professor in special education at San Francisco State University
Sesqui Research Award
Mike Wehmeyer, Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Special Education and former director of the Beach Center on Disability at KU
Steve Warren, KU professor emeritus, former vice chancellor for research at KU and former director of the Life Span Institute
Evan Dean, associate director of community engagement at KUCD
Sesqui Policy Award
Shea Tanis, associate research professor and principal investigator of the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Sesqui Practice Award
Ann Turnbull, Marianna and Ross Beach Distinguished Professor Emerita in Special Education, and co-founder of the Beach Center on Disability
Sesqui Service Award
Susan Palmer, research professor emerita and a KU Life Span Institute affiliated researcher
Sesqui Advocacy Award
Lauren Bruno, assistant research professor and associate director of education and training at KUCD