For Applied Representative
Alice Shillingsburg, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LP
Professor and Yale Family Endowed Chair
Director, Integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center
B.S., Psychology, Mississippi State University, 1998
M.S., Clinical Psychology, Auburn University
Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology, Auburn University
Recent Publications
Shillingsburg, M.A., Hansen, B., & Wright, M. (2019). Rapport-building and instructional fading prior to discrete-trial instruction: Moving from child-led play to intensive teaching, Behavior Modification, 43(2), 288-306. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445517751436
Marya, V., Frampton, S., & Shillingsburg, M.A. (2021). Matrix training to teach tacts using speech generating devices: Replication and extension. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(3), 1235-1250. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.819
Other Professional Positions and Activities
ABAI Service
- Verbal Behavior Area Program Co–coordinator (2022–Present)
- SEAB Applied Dissertation Award Review Committee (2020)
- Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group Council Member (2014–2020)
Editorial Service
- Editor–in–Chief, Operants Magazine, BF Skinner Foundation (2022–Present)
- Editorial Board Member, Behavior Analysis in Practice (2022–Present)
- Editorial Board Member, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior (2011–2018; 2021–Present)
- Guest Editor, Behavioral Interventions Special Issue on Verbal Behavior (2020–2021)
- Editorial Board Member, Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice (2019–Present)
- Associate Editor, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (2019–2022)
- Associate Editor, Operants Magazine, BF Skinner Foundation (2019–2022)
- Editorial Board Member, Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities (2016–Present)
- Editorial Board Member, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (2013–2014; 2016–2019)
- Associate Editor, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior (2015–2018)
Other Professional Service
- Director of Student Relations, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT, 2019–2022)
- APA Division 25 Awards Committee, American Psychological Association (2021)
- Grant Reviewer, Autism Science Foundation (2020)
- Program Chair; Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis (2019)
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Subject Matter Expert (2012, 2016)
Honors and Awards
- Clinical Supervisor in Verbal Behavior, VB-SIG, ABAI (2022)
- Researcher Recognition – Emory Medicine Recognitions Committee (2016)
- Hope and Will Award for Outstanding Contributions to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (2009)
Statement of Goals
I have spent the last 20 plus years dedicated to the science and practice of applied behavior analysis. I am a clinician, a researcher, and a teacher. But of all the “hats” that I wear, I can confidently say that training and supporting clinicians in applied work is my most favorite “hat” and, to me, the most important work that I do. Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of providing clinical supervision to over 60 doctoral interns and post-doctoral fellows, and numerous master’s students completing clinical practica. Although training clinical students has been an incredibly rewarding experience, some of the most important clinical supervision that I have provided has been to literally hundreds of direct care professionals, behavioral technicians, and practicing behavior analysts providing services in center-based, home-based, residential, and school-based intervention programs. What you might find surprising, however, is that the person who has learned the most from these experiences is me. My views on many things within our field have been informed and shaped by practicing behavior analysts sharing their perspective. In addition, much of my research focus has been on developing feasible and effective clinical procedures that clinicians can implement with fidelity outside of a research laboratory. Experience working alongside practitioners is inspiring. It’s humbling. And, to me, it’s absolutely necessary for a person aspiring to serve as your Applied Representative. Of equal influence in my career and my practice, is input from those we serve. My clinical and research priorities have centered around client motivation and choice and I have been measuring indices of happiness and assent in clinical services for years. As a field, we have much to continue to learn in this regard, and as your Applied Representative I would prioritize these topics. I have been a member of ABAI since 2002 and have missed only three conferences. I am dedicated to the organization and its members. If elected, I will prioritize listening to practitioners within our field. Our research should not only reflect innovative, scientific advances, but should be informed by those tasked with implementation in applied settings. If elected I will also prioritize topics most relevant to those we serve in applied settings.