Special education professor recognized with Distinguished Early Career Research Award

LAWRENCE — Karrie Shogren, associate professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas, has been selected to receive the 2015 Distinguished Early Career Research Award, granted by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Division for Research. In addition to her role as associate professor, Shogren also serves KU as associate director of the Center on Developmental Disabilities and Beach Center on Disability.

Shogren received her doctorate in special education in 2006 from KU and has contributed to the field through her research on self-determination, supports conceptualization and the application of positive psychology to the disability context. She has 62 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has made numerous presentations at national and international conferences.

This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding scientific contributions in basic and/or applied research in special education within the first 10 years after receiving the doctoral degree. The Distinguished Early Career Research Award, co-sponsored by the Donald D. Hammill Foundation, includes $1,000 to be presented to each recipient at the Division for Research reception at the 2015 CEC Annual Convention in San Diego on April 8-11. Award recipients are also invited to present at the CEC convention the following year.

Shogren is active in professional organizations, collaborates with numerous colleagues in the social sciences, and has mentored and advised graduate students. For her leadership efforts, she won the Presidential Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) for outstanding leadership to AAIDD at the state, regional and national levels. Shogren was also the 2009 recipient of Division of Research Early Career Publication Award.

“It is an honor to be recognized by my peers in the field of special education with this award, particularly given the focus of the award on contributions made through rigorous and relevant research,” Shogren said. “Such research is critical to enhancing the quality of education, and more importantly, the outcomes achieved by children and youth with disabilities. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to complete work that has the potential to impact the quality of life for people with disabilities.”

The Department of Special Education is housed in the School of Education. It is a nationally ranked school, preparing educators and health/sport/exercise professionals as leaders.