Trina D. Spencer, PhD, BCBA-D

Dr. Trina Spencer is a senior scientist and director of the Juniper Gardens Children’s Project and a professor in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. An innovator, learning scientist, and instructional engineer, she designs learning experiences that interlock the learning of children and adults (educative curriculum) and creates engaging learning experiences for university students, college instructors, PreK–12 educators, and trainers. Drawing on the learning sciences and multiple disciplines, including behavior analysis, speech-language pathology, applied linguistics, and education, her research focuses on the oral academic language that underpins reading comprehension and written composition. Her curricula, interventions, professional development systems, and assessment tools are widely used. A Fulbright Scholar to South Africa, she maintains many international partnerships. To achieve high-impact, innovative research, Dr. Spencer prioritizes researcher–practitioner partnerships, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.