Professor and chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences Stephen Russell has received the prestigious Distinguished Book Award from Division 44—the American Psychological Association's Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues.
The award is for a 2016 volume that he co-edited with Stacey Horn of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Schooling: The Nexus of Research, Practice, and Policy brings together the expertise of 39 researchers, policy analysts and educators to better understand the characteristics that create a safe and inclusive environment for LBGT youth while at school.
Students are required to attend to school, and a decade of research shows that students who routinely face anti-LGBT school behavior have higher incidences of poor academic performance, mental health issues, and problematic behaviors. The book sought to draw attention to this fact and advance social justice related to sexual orientation and gender identity in schooling.
As Russell recently commented, "We are excited that this book brings together the latest research and practice from around the world, all focused on improving schools for LGBT students."
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