Deborah Shapiro

Deborah Shapiro is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Georgia State University’s College of Education & Human Development. She specializes in disability sport, adapted physical education, and psychosocial factors in sport participation. Dr. Shapiro coordinates the undergraduate Health and Physical Education Program and the PhD concentration in physical education teacher education. She teaches courses on adapted physical education, disability sport, motor development, and action research.

Dr. Shapiro holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University (1999), an M.S. from Michigan State University (1995), and a B.A. from York University (1993). Her research focuses on physical activity benefits for youth with disabilities, inclusive education practices, and sport psychology for athletes with disabilities. She has authored over 15 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly and Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology.

She serves on boards for organizations like the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs and the Georgia Blind Sports Association. Awards include the Hollis Fait Scholarly Contribution Award and the William A. Hillman Distinguished Service Award. Her work emphasizes advancing adaptive sports, teacher training, and disability inclusion in physical education and sport management.