Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Director Brian Boyd, PhD, was recently appointed president-elect of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), a professional society that aims to engage in research and research-related activities in autism.

INSAR, which is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors that oversees all functions of the Society, provides a platform for the exchange of scientific information, and fosters collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and families affected by autism.

Boyd will join INSAR’s Board of Directors as the incoming president-elect for the 2024-2025 term. After serving as president-elect for one year, he will transition to president after the INSAR 2025 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, embarking on a two-year leadership journey. At the end of that term, he will serve as past president for two years.

Engaged in research that involves the most vulnerable, and often marginalized, populations, Boyd’s work has focused on testing and implementation of effective interventions and supports, outcome measurement, and advancing understanding of intersectional identities within autism research. He has authored more than 100 publications and book chapters and his research has been continuously funded by such federal agencies as the National Institutes of Health and the Institute of Education Sciences.

“The INSAR organization and its annual meeting have had such an impact on my career. As the future of President of INSAR, I look forward to ensuring it has a similar impact on the next generation of autism researchers, and that we continue to strive to become a more diverse and inclusive community of researchers.”

Boyd, who is past vice president of INSAR, is thrilled to take on this new role at the Society, noting its importance in his career, “The INSAR organization and its annual meeting have had such an impact on my career. As the future of President of INSAR, I look forward to ensuring it has a similar impact on the next generation of autism researchers, and that we continue to strive to become a more diverse and inclusive community of researchers.”