Elizabeth Harkins
Professor • Special Education, Professional Counseling and Disability Studies
Dr. Harkins' current scholarship is focused on social justice in special education, specifically intersectional pedagogy, and sociocultural sustainability and disability studies in education. Rooted in Black feminist theory and culturally relevant pedagogy, Dr. Harkins' work examines the awareness and effects of multiple, intersecting sociocultural markers across special education communities, policies, and pedagogy.
Dr. Harkins is on the Fulbright Specialist Roster and has served multiple roles on the Board of Directors for the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD). Currently, she is on the presidential line for DADD. Dr. Harkins also serves on the Publications Committee for CEC. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Supervision from American International College. She holds two MEds in Special Education from Lesley University, and a BA in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
In her free time, she is fueled by live theater, music, her dogs, and plants.
Degrees
Specialization
Intersectional pedagogy, Disability Studies, Special Education, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Autism
Licenses and Certifications
Supervisor/Director,
Severe Disabilities (3-22),
Moderate Disabilities (grades 5-12),
Representative Publications
Neurodiversity and the culture of autism. ;
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Advancing Positive Practices in Education, Fifth Edition; Routledge;
Disability, Intersectionality, and Belonging in Special Education: Socioculturally Sustaining Practices;
Rowman & Littlefield;
2024
Infusing intersectional pedagogy into the cultural sustaining classroom. ;
2021
Sexuality Education for students with disabilities: A guide for practitioners and families. ;
New York, NY; Rowman and Littlefield Publishing, Inc;
2021
Privilege, social identity and Autism: Preparing preservice practitioners for intersectional pedagogy. ;
, DADD Online Journal;
2019
Representative Presentations
Guidance for the antiracist educator
Infusing intersectional pedagogy into the cultural sustaining classroom.
Intersectionality in DADD
Assessing Our Awareness: Tools for Developing Teachers' Cultural Competence.
Empowering Families By Utilizing Culturally Responsive Strategies in the Education of Children With Multi-layered Identities
Fellowships, Grants and Research
Assessing PreK-12 Teachers' Level of Awareness Regarding Students' Intersectional Identities
