BARBARA GUNN, PH.D

Academic Advisor

Barbara Gunn is a Senior Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute. She received a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Oregon, and has a background in early reading instruction, curriculum development, and school-based intervention research. She formerly taught grades 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, which gave her the opportunity to use a wide range of reading programs. She knows how important it is to support teachers with evidence-based professional development and quality instructional materials to ensure that all their students become successful readers.

Barbara led the development and research of a language and literacy program for pre-school children at-risk for reading disabilities, and co-authored a kindergarten reading program. Over the last 20 years she has been a principal or co-investigator on Institute of Education Sciences and National Institutes of Health funded projects. She has conducted her research in Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Texas schools, with a focus on the prevention and remediation of reading disabilities, English oral language development, and observations of effective instructional practices.

In her spare time, Barbara enjoys camping and hiking with family and friends in the Pacific Northwest.