Elizabeth Ducy

Dr. Elizabeth Ducy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at Sonoma State University, where she also serves as Program Coordinator for EDSP and advisor for prospective and current Education Specialist candidates. Her office is located in Stevenson 2015, and she can be reached at ducy@sonoma.edu.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University
• M.Ed. in Special Education, Texas A&M University
• BS in Applied Learning and Development with Special Education, University of Texas at Austin

Research Interests:
Dr. Ducy's research centers on equitable access to education, emotional well-being, and social inclusion for children with disabilities, with a strong focus on trauma, grief, and the disproportionate impact of disasters on this population. Her work emphasizes trauma-responsive schooling, early childhood special education, preschool inclusion, and family partnerships in ECSE. She investigates how natural disasters like wildfires affect the psychological and educational experiences of youth with disabilities, advocating for inclusive crisis management.

Publication Trends:
From 2012 to 2021, Dr. Ducy has consistently published on disaster and disability, often in collaboration with Dr. Lori Stough. Her recent work (2017–2021) shows a concentrated focus on California wildfires, emotional trauma, evacuation challenges, and educational disruptions. Her publications span journals in developmental disabilities, disaster risk reduction, psychiatry, and special education, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with psychology, education, and public policy.

Scientific Awards:

• TASH Alice H. Hayden Emerging Researcher Award (2010) – Recognizing leadership potential in teaching, scholarship, and service for people with significant disabilities.

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Ducy advises prospective and current Education Specialist candidates and serves as an ECSE-AA Advisor. While specific grant details are not listed, her sustained research output and publications in high-impact journals suggest active scholarly engagement and likely external funding. She teaches courses such as EDSP 430, EDSP 432, and EDSP 522, focusing on foundational and family-centered aspects of special education.

Labs and Research Teams:
Though no formal lab is mentioned, Dr. Ducy collaborates extensively with researchers like Dr. Lori Stough on disaster and disability studies. Her work is affiliated with initiatives such as the Research Counts series from the Natural Hazards Center and the Impact feature issue on crisis management, indicating participation in national research networks focused on disability and emergencies.