Assistant professor receives Emerging Scholar in Gifted Education Award

Kadir Bahar, an assistant professor in the department of educational psychology, recently received the 2023 Emerging Scholar in Gifted Education Award from the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC).

WCGTC is an international nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and support for gifted children. Members include educators, scholars, researchers, parents and others interested in the development and education of gifted and talented children.

The organization’s emerging scholar award recognizes recipients in the first 10 years of their career who have impacted the field of gifted education through their research, leadership or service.

“Receiving the Emerging Scholar in Gifted Education Award from the WCGTC is a great honor and a tremendous responsibility,” said Bahar. “It means that my research and passion in this field are recognized and valued by my peers worldwide, and that I can make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of gifted education.”

Bahar’s research interests include excellence gaps, mathematical creativity, talent development and problem solving. He broadly explores achievement and creativity, both in and out of school contexts, through equity and empowerment lenses and with theoretical frameworks from critical pedagogy and cognitive psychology.

Bahar also researches the impact of teachers and educational settings on the development of creative potential. He currently serves as the associate editor of Gifted and Talented International and is on the editorial board of Gifted Child Quarterly and Gifted Education International.

“With this recognition, I hope to continue my efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusivity in education and to bridge the gap between research and practice,” said Bahar. “I am grateful for this award and look forward to collaborating with colleagues around the world to make a positive impact in the lives of learners.”

In collaboration with other researchers in the field, Bahar aims to create a more inclusive and equitable system of education that unlocks the creative potential of every learner, regardless of their background or circumstances, to foster a brighter future for the world.