Research & Scholarship
The Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a recognized leader in research and scholarship dedicated to advancing knowledge, informing policy, and improving educational and life outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The department’s research enterprise is grounded in a commitment to rigor, relevance, and impact—producing work that shapes the field of special education locally, nationally, and globally.
Advancing Knowledge That Matters
Faculty research spans the full continuum of special education and disability studies, addressing complex issues across early childhood, K–12, postsecondary, and adult contexts. Scholarly work in the department explores inclusive and equitable educational systems; academic, social, and behavioral interventions; learning and developmental processes; assistive and instructional technologies; transition, employment, and postschool outcomes; and educator preparation and professional development.
Across these areas, faculty employ diverse methodological approaches—including experimental and quasi-experimental designs, mixed methods, qualitative inquiry, secondary data analysis, and design-based research—to generate findings that are both scientifically robust and practically meaningful.
Research with Real-World Impact
A defining feature of the department’s scholarship is its close connection to practice and policy. Faculty collaborate extensively with schools, families, community organizations, and state and federal agencies to ensure research addresses real-world challenges and contributes to sustainable solutions. This work informs instructional practices, intervention development, systems-level reform, and evidence-based policy, helping to improve access, quality, and equity in educational and support systems.
Department faculty regularly secure competitive external funding and disseminate their findings through high-impact journals, books, national and international conferences, and practitioner-focused outlets, extending the reach and influence of their work.
Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Inquiry
Research in the department is strengthened by deep interdisciplinary collaboration across the University of Illinois and beyond. Faculty partner with scholars in education, psychology, social work, public health, engineering, and data science, among other fields, to address complex, multifaceted questions related to disability and inclusion. These collaborations expand methodological innovation and foster new perspectives that advance the science of special education.
Developing Scholars and Researchers
The department is also committed to cultivating the next generation of researchers and scholars. Graduate students are actively engaged in faculty-led research teams, contributing to funded projects, co-authoring publications, and presenting at professional conferences. Through mentorship and hands-on research experiences, students develop the skills needed to lead independent, impactful research careers.
A Commitment to Equity and Inclusion in Scholarship
All research efforts within the department are guided by a commitment to equity, access, and ethical scholarship. Faculty and students examine systemic barriers, amplify underrepresented perspectives, and pursue research agendas that promote inclusive environments and meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Through innovative, collaborative, and socially responsive scholarship, the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign continues to shape the future of research in special education and disability studies.