The American Educational Research Association (AERA), the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning, has awarded Shirley Malcom, head of Education and Human Resources Programs at AAAS, with the 2016 Distinguished Public Service Award. This award is granted annually by AERA in recognition of an individual who has worked to enact or implement policies that are well-grounded in education research, and someone who has been at the forefront of efforts to increase recognition and support for education research. Malcom will be honored at AERA's awards luncheon on April 10 in Washington, D.C.
During her more than 36 years at AAAS, Malcom has worked to improve quality and increase access to education and careers in STEM fields as well as enhance public science literacy. Malcom is a trustee of Caltech, a regent of Morgan State University, and a member of the SUNY Research Council Advisory Board.
She is a former member of the National Science Board, the policymaking body of the National Science Foundation, and served on President Clinton's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Malcom received her Ph.D. in ecology from The Pennsylvania State University, masters in zoology from UCLA and bachelor's with distinction in zoology from the University of Washington. She holds 16 honorary degrees. (Learn more)
Congratulations to Dr. Malcom!