Biography

Dr. Gould-Taylor is a Research Professor and the Executive Director of the Christopher M. Barnett Autism Laboratory at Temple University. Dr. Gould-Taylor’s research focus represents a range of domains dedicated to understanding the authentic needs of disabled people, family members, and professionals is Pennsylvania.

Her preliminary research focus examined phenomena associated with identity and power to address the legacy of racism and ableism that exists within the U.S. education system and disproportionately impacts students living at the intersections of marginalized racial and ethnic identity and disability. She continues this line of inquiry, yet her commitment has shifted away from her own personal primary focus towards securing funding and conducting evidence-based, qualitative and quantitative research on the issues that matter most to disabled people and have the greatest impact on their lives. From 2020-2026, she served as the Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities (PA UCEDD) and was Principal Investigator for multiple interdisciplinary research, evaluation, and community service projects in diverse fields of human services, disability, health equity, and education. utilizing a social justice lens. In this role she directed numerous projects including; (a) Project PLAAY-Inclusive, (b) Ethnography of Deinstitutionalization: The Closure of Hamburg State Center, and (c) Census2020 Counts Philadelphians with Disabilities. Dr. Gould-Taylor received 61 grants as IOD Executive Director totally over 55 million dollars from a variety of funders including; (a) Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, (b) Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services, Aging, Labor and Industry, (c) Administration on Community Living, (d) US Department of Education, (e) and the WITH Foundation. In April of 2026, Dr. Gould-Taylor resigned her position at the Institute on Disabilities to become the inaugural Executive Director of the Christopher M. Barnett Autism Laboratory. Established by a multi-million-dollar gift, this interdisciplinary center will focus on research and evaluation, community engagement, education and training, and knowledge translation and dissemination addressing the needs of the Autism community. Domains of interest driving the establishment of this new center include adult Autism diagnosis, inclusive research design, supporting Autistic researchers, communities traditionally underserved, women, Autism representation in the media/arts, supporting Autistic adults in the workforce, employment, and moving from promising practices to evidence-based practices. Located within the Barnett College of Public Health, the Barnett Autism Laboratory will be officially launched in July 2026.

Dr. Gould-Taylor’s leadership experience is dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities through research, education, and policy innovation. She has recruited, funded, and trained over 50 UCEDD trainees, leads interdisciplinary teams, and hires researchers and project managers with lived disability experience, and supports emerging leaders by securing sustained and differentiated funding for complex initiatives and projects that demonstrate the ability to design and implement innovative programs that improve outcomes for individuals and families while building strong partnerships with government agencies, healthcare systems, and community organizations, and regional and national leaders in the field. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes mentoring and empowering early-career professionals, fostering inclusive environments, and driving innovation through evidence-based practices. By utilizing the epistemology of Community-based participatory research (CBPR), her research is designed to authentically include people with disabilities as partners and co-researchers. Dr. Gould-Taylor’s scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on inclusive research methods, self-determination, and health equity, complemented by national and invited presentations on topics such as emancipatory funding models and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. Her work has been featured in Temple University News, WHYY, and other media outlets, reflecting a commitment to advancing knowledge translation and increased public understanding of disability and inclusion. Additionally, she mentors and purposefully creates co-authored scholarship with doctoral students, early-career faculty and staff, and self-advocates to foster a culture of collaboration and evidence-based innovation. Dr. Gould-Taylor currently serves on a variety of university, community, and professional association committees and boards and maintains established research partnerships with many nationally recognized leaders, community organizations, and universities.