RSVP for the 2026 Dr. Jane Blumenfeld Lecture Series

Waterways & Passports: Navigating Our Responsibilities with Purpose, Determination, and Beauty, by Dr. Shahla Alai-Rosales.

Date: April 15, 2026 6:00 - 7:30 PM Travelstead Hall

Abstract

We live in a complex time, socially, politically and spiritually. Global and disciplinary paradigms are interrogated and challenged; questions about our human response to power, justice, knowledge, ethics, and suffering emerge daily. The science, practice, and training of educators is at the nexus of this complexity. It is not an easy thing in these times to find our place within academia, to conform to institutional requirements, and to understand our responsibilities. The goal of this presentation is to offer a historical context and perspective from one educator’s view over the course of 40 years. Drawing on the wisdom of scholars and social activists, as well as her own experience, Shahla will examine the types of environments that facilitate safe passage and wellbeing for students and children and those that contain impassable borders and increase harm to students and children. Through water metaphors, stories, and data, she will share some of her difficult voyages and some of the beautiful vistas and consider possibilities for shaping the capacities of children, students, and ourselves in these times.

Bio

Shahla Alai-Rosales, PHD, BCBA-D, CPBA-AP is a Professor in the Department of Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas and a volunteer faculty with Bahai Institute of Higher Education Counseling Psychology Program. She has taught courses in Texas, Europe, and the Middle East on a variety of topics, including ethics, early autism intervention, parent training, behavioral systems, applied research methods, technology transfer, behavior change techniques, and cultural diversity. Shahla has published and presented research on social justice, ethics in early intervention, play and social skills, family harmony, and supervision and mentoring. Shahla has more than four decades of experience working with families and has trained hundreds of behavior analysts. She has received awards for her teaching (SGA ‘Fessor Graham Award), her work with families (Onassis Scholar Award), and for her sustained contributions (UNT Community Engagement Award, TXABA Career Contributions Award, the GSU Lutzker Distinguished Lecturer, the ABAI Donald M. Baer Distinguished Lecture, and the 23-24 University of Kansas ABS Outstanding Alumni Award). She was a member of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, the ABAI Practice Board, the ABAI DEI Board, APBA Board, the advisory board for ASAI and an Associate Editor for Behavior Analysis in Practice. Shahla is co-author of Building and Sustaining Meaningful and Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor (LeBlanc, Sellers & Alai, 2020) and Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism: Between Now and Dreams (Alai-Rosales & Heinkel-Wolfe, 2022).

Price:

Free

Admission Information:

Please RSVP below.

Contact Information:

Department of Special Education
specialeducation@unm.edu
505-277-6915