Dr. Katherine (Katie) McDonald is a Community Psychologist who uses ecological theory and social action research to understand and promote the community integration of individuals with disabilities. Her current research spans two core areas of inquiry. (1) Respectful, Inclusive Research Practices for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Dr. McDonald has several projects involving the empirical study of human research ethics, with an emphasis on the research participation of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her long-term goal is to contribute an empirical perspective to respective, inclusive research practices for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (2) Participatory Action Research Addressing Disparities: Dr. McDonald also conducts collaborative research with community-based organizations and community members on health, education and employment disparities experienced by individuals with disabilities. One long-standing collaboration is the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE; www.aaspire.org ). AASPIRE conducts research on the needs of autistic adults through academic-autistic partnerships, including studies on access to quality healthcare and the online autistic community. With the Southeast ADA Center (www.sedbtac.org ), Dr. McDonald conducts research on understanding facilitators and persistent barriers to community participation among adults with disabilities. Other research projects involved collaborations with government and business collaborators to address the employment of individuals with disabilities and program evaluation capacity building with social service agencies serving ethnic and racial minorities with disabilities.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Ph.D. in Community and Prevention Research Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (2006)
M.A. in Community and Prevention Research Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (2003)
B.S. with Distinction in Human Development and Family Studies & French Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (1998)
AFFILIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:
-Professional Organizations:
American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
American Evaluation Association
American Public Health Association
International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities
Rehabilitation Psychology
Society for Community Research and Action