Ann Turnbull

Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor

Turnbull@ku.edu

Beach Center on Disability
3111 Haworth Hall
1200 Sunnyside Drive
Lawrence KS 66045

Telephone: 785 864 7608

Fax: 785 864 5825

Academic Department

Special Education

Research Specialty

• Family quality of life
• Family-professional partnerships
• Community inclusion
• Knowledge translation

Awards

• Century Award in Mental Retardation, 1999 (Given by a national consortium of the seven leading organizations in the field of developmental disabilities for the 36 individuals who have made the most significant impact in the field of mental retardation/developmental disabilities over the 20th Century).
• Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Leadership Award, 1990
• Louise E. Byrd Graduate Educator Award, 1999
• The Arc’s Distinguished Research Award, 2004
• School of Education Making a Difference Award for “Distinguished Leadership, Research, Teaching, and Service”, 2005

Professional Memberships

• American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (President, 2003-2004)
• The Arc of the United States (National Board of Directors, 2006-present)

Degrees

• B.S.Ed., University of Georgia, Special Education—Mental Retardation, 1968
• M.Ed., Auburn University, Special Education—Mental Retardation, 1971
• Ed.D., University of Alabama, Special Education—Mental Retardation, 1972

For More Information

• The Beach Center
• Department of Special Education

Why Study at the University of Kansas

It has been and continues to be a privilege to be on the faculty in the Department of Special Education which has been consistently ranked over the last decade as one of the top two doctoral programs in the United States. I want to highlight here four factors that I think particularly contribute to the national ranking and to the Department of Special Education being an absolutely outstanding place to receive a graduate education. First, there is a research culture in which faculty and students participate on a continuous basis in the research process from the beginning point of conceptualizing research questions to conducting research to writing it up and then to translating its results for the benefit of ultimate stakeholders. Thus, students do not just take research courses but rather receive their education in the ongoing pursuit of new knowledge. Secondly, the faculty, staff, and students work together synergistically in generating grants. There is an amazing “know-how” in terms of accessing external funds, and people continually expand their expertise by learning from each other. Thirdly, faculty and staff are down-to-earth, approachable, student-centered, and helpful. Thus, it is a non-intimidating environment to push the limits of what one might think one’s best is to whole new levels of growth, insight, and even wisdom. Fourthly, these departmental characteristics are situated within competent and caring university and community contexts. Thus, majoring in special education at the University of Kansas does not merely translate into quality education but, indeed, into quality of life as well.