Renata Ticha

Renata Ticha is a Research Professor at the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota. She is actively engaged in research related to intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), inclusive education, and transition services for youth and adults with disabilities. Her work spans multiple federally funded projects and she is currently accepting PhD students, indicating her role in academic mentorship and research leadership.

Her research interests focus on improving community living, participation, and health equity for individuals with IDD. Key areas include transition planning for youth with disabilities, inclusive teacher preparation, home and community-based services, and addressing diagnostic overshadowing in healthcare. She contributes to policy development and evaluation through her involvement in National Core Indicators and large-scale longitudinal studies.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in international comparative studies on inclusion, policy analysis across countries, and methodological advancements in measuring outcomes in community-based services. Her work bridges education, health, and social policy, with a consistent focus on equity, rights, and evidence-based practices for marginalized populations with disabilities.

• Editor of the Journal of the International Association of Special Education

Renata Ticha advises PhD students and leads multiple major research grants from agencies including the U.S. Department of Education, NIH, HRSA, and ACL. Her projects often involve collaborative, community-based models and aim to influence both practice and policy. She is a key contributor to the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living and Participation among People with IDD.

She is actively involved in several research labs and collaborative networks focused on disability policy, special education, and health equity. Her team includes interdisciplinary researchers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experience, ensuring participatory and impactful research.