The Academy was founded in 1965 to advance the highest quality education research and its use in policy formulations and practice.  It has 200 U. S. members and 25 foreign associates who are elected on the basis of outstanding scholarship or outstanding contributions to education.  Its membership includes the present or past presidents of several major universities, including former UC Presidents Richard Atkins and David Gardner.

Lorraine McDonnell received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and joined the UCSB faculty in 1991 after a career as a Senior Political Scientist at RAND.  She is a past Chair of the Political Science Department and has just completed a term as President of the American Educational Research Assosication (AERA).  With more than 25,000 members AERA is the most prominent international professional organization dedicated to educational research and its practical application.

Additional information about the award, including comments from Chancellor Henry Yang and Department Chair John Woolley, can be found in this press release on UCSB's Public Affairs website.
http://www.ia.ucsb.edu/pa/display.aspx?pkey=1998.