
Kristin Murphy
Associate Professor of Special Education and Honors College Affiliated Faculty
Biography
I have worked in special education for over twenty years, serving in teaching, research, leadership, and policy roles. I began my career as a special educator for the New York City Department of Education. My teaching, scholarship, and service focus on preparing special educators and engaging educators and students in collaborative, participatory research to improve educational experiences and outcomes for students with disabilities.
Area of Expertise
My research interests focus on how people in education learn, collaborate, and support each other including: preservice and professional learning opportunities for school-based personnel serving students with disabilities; mixed-reality simulations; and participatory action research, including photovoice. I am also interested in special education policy and practice in exclusionary school settings, including alternative schools and schools in juvenile corrections and hospital settings.
Degrees
BA, Psychology, Ithaca College
EdM, Risk and Prevention, Harvard University
PhD, Special Education, University of Florida
Professional Publications & Contributions
Serving in leadership roles within my college and the greater special education community is important to me.
Within my college, I have served terms as Special Education Graduate Program Director and Associate Dean for Faculty Development & Academic Programs. I also serve on 91视频's Honors College Governing Council.
I have also served in leadership roles on major federal grants supporting the preparation of future special educators, school adjustment counselors, and education leaders:
- Principal Investigator, Project Teachers Learning with Counselors (TLC), funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Special Education Programs, $1.25 million.
- Co-Principal Investigator, Project Cultivating Interdisciplinary and Responsive Cultural Research, Pracitce, and Policy Leaders in Early Childhood Education Professions (CIRCLE) funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Special Education Programs, $3.5 million.
Finally, here is a sampling of recent national leadership roles I have held in the special education professional community:
- 2019-2022: Professional Development Co-Chair, Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Emotional and Behavioral Health
- 2024-2026: Leadership line, Council for Exceptional Children Teacher Education Division's Small Special Education Programs Caucus
Additional Information
I am proud to have been recognized multiple times for innovation and dedication in teaching and mentorship.
In 2020, I was awarded the Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching. The Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching honors one outstanding faculty member from each of the five campuses of the University of Massachusetts. This competitive prize is presented to faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching along with exemplary dedication to students and the campus community.
In 2018, I was awarded the 91视频 Face-to-Face Innovation in Teaching Award.
In 2023, I was a nominee for the Beacon Leadership Award for Faculty Advisor of the Year.