Professor Christopher Johnstone in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development has received a 2021 UMN Sustainable Development Goal Research grant presented by the University’s Global Programs and Strategy Alliance. The award is part of the Alliance’s systemwide initiative focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), granting around $120,000 to seven research projects in alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the University’s strategic priorities, and community needs. The projects were selected after a competitive proposal process that included an interdisciplinary committee reviewing the proposals and providing recommendations for funding. 

Johnstone’s study seeks to identify the role of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities in policy advocacy toward inclusive and equitable education, with the long-term goal of ending poverty and developing decent work opportunities for persons with disabilities worldwide. 

Johnstone is the Director of Graduate Studies in OLPD and teaches and advises students in the department’s graduate programs in Comparative and International Development Education.