Kari Sherwood, Ph.D.
Biography
Dr. Kari Sherwood is an Assistant Professor for the College of Education and the Social Science Research Institute at Penn State. Dr. Sherwood runs the ELEVATE (Elevating Life, Expression, Validation, Autistic Thriving, and Empowerment) Autism Lab and teaches courses in the Rehabilitation and Human Services program, covering topics such as employment strategies for people with disabilities, medical and psychosocial aspects of chronic illness and disability, and disability culture.
Research Interests
Dr. Sherwood's research focuses on autistic belonging and well-being, particularly in the workplace and in secondary and post-secondary education settings. She utilizes mixed methods to develop and evaluate interventions using community-engaged participatory action research.
Education
- Ph.D, (Social Work and Psychology), University of Michigan, 2025
- MS, (Psychology), University of Michigan, 2022
- MSW, University of Michigan, 2019
- MEd, (Special Education), Bowling Green State University, 2016
- MS, (Educational Leadership Studies), Oklahoma State University, 2011
- BS, (Human Development and Family Science), Oklahoma State University, 2006