June 22, 2015
Thurston to present at international conference
Linda P. Thurston, associate dean for research and external funding in the College of Education and Lydia E. Skeen chair, will present at an international conference on gender related issues in England in July.
The title of Thurston's presentation is "The Role of Culturally Responsive Evaluation in Promoting and Sustaining Equitable Education Programs for Women and Girls." She will present at the Gender and Education Association's biennial conference July 13-17 at the University of Roehampton in London.
"Too often, educational programs for marginalized groups, such as women and girls, are evaluated without attention to culture, context and voice; those findings lack the validity needed to demonstrate success or to guide improvement," Thurston said. "I look forward to discussing the need for Culturally Responsive Evaluation because it helps ensure reliable, valid and meaningful findings, and increases the likelihood that social and educational policies and practices are socially just."
Thurston specializes in program evaluation and gender and disability issues in education, especially at the postsecondary level. Her research-based welfare program "Survival Skills for Women" was recognized by the White House and implemented in more than 20 states.
She is the co-author of "Collaboration, Consultation and Co-teaching for Students with Special Needs," in its seventh edition. She is the author two other books, more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, six curricula, and has presented at nearly 200 national and international conferences. She has keynoted numerous conferences, including speaking at the United Nations about women with disabilities, science education and careers.
Thurston is a member of the Journal of Mixed Method Research editorial board and has leadership positions in the Feminist Evaluation and the Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Populations special interest groups of the American Evaluation Association.