Professor Dillenburger, from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s, was recently awarded her Fellowship during the ABAI 2025 convention in Washington D.C.  

She established and currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Behaviour Analysis at Queen's, an international research centre of excellence with world-leading expertise in the science and application of behaviour analysis. The team at the Centre conduct research and training in relation to evidence-based practice, telehealth, education, neurodiversity, and inclusion. Through international collaborations, the team has amassed a unique library resource of webinar and seminar recordings by world leaders in the field. This is designed to facilitate accurate dissemination of, and promote community impact of, behaviour analysis generally and autism more specifically. 

Speaking about the award Professor Dillenburger said: “At a time when the prevalence of autism continues to rise and evidence-based services are in short supply in Northern Ireland, it is a great honour to be recognised internationally for my expertise in autism and behaviour analysis, as well as my promotion of research-based teaching on the highly successful MSc in Autism, and my sustained commitment to community involvement.” 

Congratulating Professor Dillenburger on her election, Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s said: “Professor Dillenburger’s election reflects her significant impact and contributions to behaviour analysis, autism intervention, and the development of evidence-based policy. 

“Her appointment highlights Queen’s growing influence in behaviour analytic science and emphasises Professor Dillenburger’s ongoing commitment to shaping inclusive, scientifically grounded approaches to autism support locally and globally.” 

Professor Dillenburger is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D), Clinical Psychologist (HCPC), and certified UK-Behaviour Analyst (UKBA). She is the current President of the European Association for Behaviour Analysis (EABA). 

ABAI's Fellows are elected for their outstanding contributors to behaviour analysis in the areas of research and scholarship, professional practice, or teaching/administration/service. This fellowship follows the Gold Medal award from Masaryk University in the Czech Republic that was bestowed on Professor Dillenburger last year. 

 

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