Distinguished Career Contributions to Science Award Winner: Dr. Ann Masten, PhD

Distinguished Career Contributions to Science Award Winner: Dr. Ann Masten, PhD

SCCAP is delighted to present the 2024 Distinguished Career Contributions to Science Award to Dr. Ann Masten, PhD, Regents Professor of Psychology at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota.  This award recognizes Dr. Masten for her groundbreaking and influential program of research and her significant contributions to the field of clinical child and adolescent psychology. Her work pioneered the concept that resilience arises from the “ordinary magic” inherent in all youth.  In many ways, Dr. Masten’s career exemplifies the SCCAP Motto of “Science into Practice”.

Dr. Masten’s innovative ideas redefined how resilience in children is conceptualized, studied, and promoted. Her work advanced clinical child research and practice beyond a focus on risks and deficits to a greater appreciation of strengths, protective factors, and positive outcomes. Dr. Masten is a prolific scientist and has published over 200 highly cited works that have been influential across disciplines within and outside of psychology. Her research findings have informed theory, methods, practice and policies designed to foster resilience and support the well-being of children, youth and families facing adversity. In addition to being a trailblazer in clinical child and developmental psychology, Dr. Masten has also had significant influence in fields of social work, psychiatry, pediatrics, neuroscience, education, and disaster response. Moreover, she has prioritized efforts to make her research findings accessible to broad audiences including through a Mass Open Online Course (MOOC) about resilience of children in war and disaster (offered free on Coursera) and countless presentations, including to practitioners, policy makers, and the general public.

Dr. Masten has received numerous accolades for her extraordinary contributions including the Urie Bronfenbrenner Award for Lifetime Contributions from APA, election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Grawemeyer Prize in Psychology. Her excellence in fostering future psychologists was also recognized with the Mentor Award in Developmental Psychology from APA. Her commitment to education and mentorship has ensured that her insights into resilience and child development will endure and evolve.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Masten on receiving SCCAP’s Distinguished Career Contributions to Science Award. Dr. Masten will present her impressive work in an Invited Address on Friday August 9th at the APA Convention. We look forward to honoring her substantial influence on the field of clinical child and adolescent psychology then!