Mian Wang is Professor of Special Education in the Department of Education at UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz Graduate School of Education and Director of the Pacific Rim Research Center on Special Education and Disability. His research focuses on autism intervention, family support and quality of life, and inclusive education.
His scholarship examines how evidence-based interventions can be made more effective, meaningful, culturally responsive, and respectful of autistic people and their families. He also studies how family-professional partnerships, peer support, and service systems affect the well-being and quality of life of families raising children with developmental disabilities. A third strand of his work addresses inclusive education and teacher preparation across countries, particularly in the United States, China, and the broader Pacific Rim. Through research, publications, and professional training, he works to translate knowledge into practical strategies that teachers, clinicians, and families can use in schools, homes, and communities.
He earned a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Kansas in 2004 and a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Patras in 2000, following an M.A. in Educational Psychology and a B.S. in Psychology from Northeast Normal University. He completed a U.S. Department of Education leadership fellowship in special education. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, serves on the Board of Directors of IASSIDD’s Quality of Life Special Interest Research Group, and is an associate editor for several education and autism journals. Recent honors include the 2024–2026 Ewha Global Fellowship.
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ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS FOR FALL?
Yes
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