Elizabeth Kelly

Biography

Elizabeth Kelly, PhD, BCBA is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at Alliant University. She earned her PhD in 2021 from the University of Washington where she held teaching and research positions before moving to Alliant. Dr. Kelly has 15 years of experience working in the field of ABA, primarily supporting individuals diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. Her research interests are in the ethical practice of ABA, social validity, and improving quality of life outcomes for people who receive ABA services. Dr. Kelly has published over a dozen peer-reviewed articles and spoken at conferences across the US on these important topics. Recently, she co-authored her first book called “Ethical Decision Making in Applied Behavior Analysis”. She is excited about sharing her passion, experience, and expertise with Alliant students interested in becoming behavior analysts. When Dr. Kelly is not working, she enjoys playing music, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Education and Certifications

PhD, BCBA

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

• Schwartz, I.S., & Kelly, E.M. (2025). Ethical decision making in applied behavior analysis. Brookes.
• Martin, R. J., & Kelly, E. M. (2025). Addressing pervasive myths about qualitative research to promote methodological diversity in applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice. Advanced online publication.
• Huntington, R. N., Badgett, N. M., Bristol, R. M., McIntosh, J., Kelly, E. M., Bravo, A., Hee Byun, Y., Park, M. S., & Greeny, K. (2024). A descriptive assessment of social validity source, timing, and direct consumer inclusion in behavior analytic research. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-21. Advanced online publication.
• Kelly, E. M., Harbin, S. G., & Schwartz, I. S. (2024). Families’ experiences with online instruction and behavior support during COVID-19. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 44(2), 103-114.
• Kelly, E. M., Greeny, K., Rosenberg, N., & Schwartz, I. S. (2023). How behavior analysts make ethical decisions: A qualitative study. Behavior Analysis in Practice. Advance online publication.
• Kelly, E. M., Spaulding, S. A., Davis, C. A. (2022). The role of coaching on the implementation of individualized behavior supports in elementary schools. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 25(2), 108-117.
• Schwartz, I. S., & Kelly, E. M. (2021). Quality of life for people with disabilities: Why applied behavior analysts should consider this a primary dependent variable. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 46(3), 159-172.
• Kelly, E. M., Greeny, K., Rosenberg, N., & Schwartz, I. S. (2021). When rules are not enough: Developing principles to guide ethical conduct. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14, 491