About Us

After successfully working in education reform and innovation efforts, James (Jamie) Basham (a professor) and Jeff Diedrich (an education leader) wanted to advance understanding and practice of UDL across the global education space. What emerged was a grassroots and network-based effort to promote the design of research-based learning environments.

The Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network (UDL-IRN) supports the scaled implementation and research related to Universal Design for Learning. Through collaboration, we support and promote the identification and development of models, tools, research, and practices designed to foster effective UDL implementation in educational environments. We encourage and welcome participation in these discussions.

Image shows 2019 UDL-IRN Summit attendees participating in an activity.
Image shows 2018 Southwest Regional event attendees listening to presenter Bryan Dean.

Our mission is to support the design of future-ready learning environments that are equitable, beneficial, and meaningful for all learners.

Operations Team

Headshot of James Basham

James Basham

Headshot of Steve Nordmark

Steve Nordmark

Headshot of Sue Hardin

Sue Hardin

Headshot of Bryan Dean

Bryan Dean

Headshot of McKenzie Nicholis

McKenzie Nicholis

Advisory Board Members

Elizabeth (“Liz”) Berquist, Ed.D.
David Davis
Jim Gardner, Ph.D.
Aleksandra Hollingshead, Ed.D.
Alisa Lowrey, Ph.D.
Matthew Marino, Ph.D.
Loui Lord Nelson, Ph.D.
Sean Joseph Smith, Ph.D.
George Van Horn, Ed.D.
Kavita Rao, Ph.D.
David Reid
Sharon Grady

Operations Committee Leaders

Professional Learning: Sue Hardin
Research: Kavita Rao
Summit: McKenzie Nicholis

Special Interest Group Leaders

UDL Implementation: Cherie Smith, Elizabeth Stark
UDLHE Network: Eric Moore, Jennifer Pusateri
Assessment & Measurement: Bob Dolan, Cara Laitusis