Hyun-Ju Kang, Ph.D.

University of Wisconsin-Madison
hkang@msu.edu
Research is an important way to translate the knowledge. I believe that research-based knowledge and theories must be translated to inform disability policy and provide evidence-based practice. I am currently a postdoctoral research associate in MSU-DOCTRID Hegarty Fellow Program at Michigan State University. My research interests include adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities, transition, post-school outcomes (i.e., employment, postsecondary education, independent living, and community involvement), assistive technology, evidence-based intervention, functional skills, school, family, and community partnerships, and multicultural education.

I have nearly 4 years of work experience in the area of disability and transition as a play therapist and teacher. I also have nearly 5 years of research experience in transition and post-school outcomes as a research assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I am so excited to work with international and interdisciplinary research teams in this program. I hope to improve my research knowledge and skills as well as have grant writing, publication, teaching, and mentorship experiences in the program. I believe that this program is promising in preparing for my future career with my fellows, mentors, and international and interdisciplinary research teams.

Nicole Neil, Ph.D.

City University of New York
nneil@msu.edu
I received my PhD in psychology from the Graduate Center (CUNY), hold my M.A. in Applied Disability studies from Brock University, and have over nine years of professional experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. As a Hegarty Fellow, I am jointly appointed at in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, and the National University of Ireland, Galway in the School of Psychology. I also teach graduate courses in applied behavior analysis at Brock University and the University of Western Ontario

My program of research focuses on maximizing outcomes in behavioral interventions for learners with developmental disabilities. My primary research interest is in identifying ways of enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for individuals with developmental disabilities by tailoring the intensity at which intervention is provided. In a special issue in the Journal of Behavioral Education on treatment intensity, I published the results from a series of preliminary studies highlighting how the diagnosis of Down syndrome interacts with treatment intensity. I am also involved in projects investigating group cognitive behavioral therapy for children with autism and obsessive compulsive behavior and improving long-term relationships between children with autism and their typically developing siblings.

Rebecca Irvine, Ph.D.

Queen’s University, Belfast
rirvine@msu.edu
As a Hegarty Fellow, I will be co-located at Michigan State University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the National University of Ireland – Galway.  My primary research objective during the Fellowship will be to identify ways to make the policy environment more accessible for people with intellectual disabilities and their advocates. I intend to work with self-advocates/advocates, policy-makers, and organizations in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Michigan, in order to gain a better insight into the limited inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in influencing and measuring policy outcomes.

My educational background includes a B.A. in International Relations from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Comparative Ethnic Conflict from Queen’s University Belfast, and a Ph.D. in Social Policy, also from Queen’s University Belfast. My doctoral thesis, ‘The Other Minority: Disability Policy in the Post-Civil Conflict Environment’, was an international comparative project that considered the involvement of people with disabilities in post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building, in addition to the social, economic, and political factors that affect policy development and implementation during conflict transformation.  Other projects and publications have included:

‘Shortfalls in Public Policy and Programme Delivery in Northern Ireland Relative to the UNCRPD’ (with Dr Bronagh Byrne & Dr Colin Harper); ‘Inquiry into Post Special Education Need Provision in Education, Employment & Training for People with Intellectual Disabilities’ (on behalf of the Committee for Employment and Learning in the Northern Ireland Assembly); ‘Getting Disability on the Post-Conflict Agenda: the Role of a Disability Movement’ published in D Mitchell and V Karr (2014) Conflict, Disaster and Disability: Ensuring Equality; and ‘Prioritizing the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Post-Conflict Education Reform’ in Child Care in Practice special edition on children with disabilities (January 2015).

Prior to undertaking my Ph.D., I also worked for Mencap in Northern Ireland, coordinating numerous campaigns and establishing the All-Party Group on Intellectual Disability in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

June Chen

Ph.D. East China Normal University
junechen@msu.edu

Lianjun (June) Chen is a Hegarty Fellow in the MSU-DOCTRID program. Her educational background includes special education, laws and policies in special education, and psycho-counseling. Her primary research interest is the development and sustainment of community-based services for supporting people with neurological disabilities to improve their quality of life. June started working for people with disabilities in different settings since 2005. She was closely involved in several community-based projects funded by local government in Shanghai China, to promote social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. As a Hegarty fellow, June is under the mentorship of both Dr. Connie Sung from Michigan State University and Dr. Geraldine Leader from National University of Ireland, Galway. Now she is working on several projects under the cross-cultural perspective.

Stacy Anne Clifford

Ph.D. Vanderbilt University
cliffosa@msu.edu

Stacy Clifford is a Hegarty Fellow in the MSU-DOCTRID program whose educational background bridges political science and disability studies. Her primary research interest is the development of normative theories that increase the community inclusion and political empowerment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Areas of research include deliberative democratic theory, feminist care ethics, critical disability studies, liberal theories of justice, and qualitative research methods. Her publications appear in Contemporary Political Theory and Disability Studies Quarterly.

Carolyn Shivers

Ph.D. Vanderbuilt University
shivercm@msu.edu

Carolyn Shivers is a Hegarty Fellow in the MSU-DOCTRID program. Her background includes direct care service for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as education in developmental psychology and quantitative methods. Her past research experience includes physical and psychological development in individuals with genetic disorders and life course outcomes among siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Current research interests focus on processes among families of individuals with IDD and mutually-beneficial interventions for siblings and children with IDD.