Professor Sandra Simpkins named
American Psychological Association Division 7 Fellow
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The American Psychological Association Council named Professor Sandra Simpkins an APA Division 7 Fellow.
The designation is awarded to those who, in the judgment of their peers, have made a distinguished scientific or scholarly contribution to the field of developmental psychology. To date, there are roughly 420 individuals across the nation to have been named a Division 7 Fellow. “I am truly honored to receive this recognition,” Simpkins said. “This award represents the collective contribution of several scholars, families, youth, and organizations that supported my work over the years. I would not have received this award without the dedication of all the amazing rising scholars I have had the honor of mentoring, the unwavering support of my mentors, enriching collaborations I have shared with colleagues, and, of course, my family.” Simpkins studies child and adolescent development. Her research focuses on how families and organized after-school activities shape youth’s positive development, and how those processes vary across social position factors, such as ethnicity and culture. |
Professor Sandra Simpkins
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She is the principal investigator on a grant from the John Templeton Foundation and co-PI on a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation that study how organized after-school activities support positive development from childhood through young adulthood. As director of the Center for Afterschool and Summer Excellence (CASE), Simpkins engages colleagues and doctoral students in research on improving the lives of diverse youth.
In July, Simpkins received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study family influence on youth’s math and science motivation.
Simpkins said her work has flourished in the academically rich environment that the UCI School of Education offers.
“This interdisciplinary school has several scholars who focus on the topics I study, including families and youth’s organized after-school activities,” Simpkins said. “Conducting my research in this synergistic environment has pushed my scholarship to new levels.”
In 2020, the Association for Psychological Science named Simpkins a Fellow of the Association in recognition of her “sustained outstanding contributions to the advancement of psychological science.
In 2021, the Society for Research in Child Development named Simpkins a 2021 Horowitz Program Mentor. In 2019, Simpkins received the Faculty Mentorship Award for Inclusive Excellence from the UCI School of Education.
Simpkins is the fourth School of Education faculty to be named an APA Division 7 Fellow, joining Professor Gustavo Carlo, Distinguished Professor Jacquelynne Eccles, and Chancellor’s Professor Emerita and School of Education Founding Dean Deborah Lowe Vandell.
The American Psychological Association Division 7 provides a professional home for developmental psychologists. By supporting research and the academic and professional growth of students, early career psychologists and seasoned professionals, Div. 7 advances the understanding of human development in both applied and public policy settings.
In July, Simpkins received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study family influence on youth’s math and science motivation.
Simpkins said her work has flourished in the academically rich environment that the UCI School of Education offers.
“This interdisciplinary school has several scholars who focus on the topics I study, including families and youth’s organized after-school activities,” Simpkins said. “Conducting my research in this synergistic environment has pushed my scholarship to new levels.”
In 2020, the Association for Psychological Science named Simpkins a Fellow of the Association in recognition of her “sustained outstanding contributions to the advancement of psychological science.
In 2021, the Society for Research in Child Development named Simpkins a 2021 Horowitz Program Mentor. In 2019, Simpkins received the Faculty Mentorship Award for Inclusive Excellence from the UCI School of Education.
Simpkins is the fourth School of Education faculty to be named an APA Division 7 Fellow, joining Professor Gustavo Carlo, Distinguished Professor Jacquelynne Eccles, and Chancellor’s Professor Emerita and School of Education Founding Dean Deborah Lowe Vandell.
The American Psychological Association Division 7 provides a professional home for developmental psychologists. By supporting research and the academic and professional growth of students, early career psychologists and seasoned professionals, Div. 7 advances the understanding of human development in both applied and public policy settings.
