SCRA Honors Dr. Yolanda Suárez-Balcázar with the 2025 Seymour Sarason Award, following nomination by CESPYD

Renowned scholar Yolanda Suárez-Balcázar has been awarded the 2025 Seymour Sarason Award for Community Research and Action, granted by the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA), Division 27 of the American Psychological Association. The nomination was submitted by CESPYD – Center for Community Research and Action at the University of Seville, in recognition of her outstanding academic career and unwavering commitment to social justice. You can access the nomination letter by clicking here.

This prestigious award honors individuals whose work combines rigorous research with transformative action, following the legacy of Seymour Sarason. Dr. Suárez-Balcázar’s impact in this field has been profound, both nationally and internationally, particularly in the development of culturally relevant interventions for Latinx families and individuals with disabilities.

Throughout her career, Dr. Suárez-Balcázar has developed pioneering conceptual models on cultural competence and participatory methodologies. She has led more than fifteen funded studies focused on the health and well-being of Latinx families, people with disabilities, and other historically marginalized communities. Her participatory, community-based approach has led to the creation of the LARREDS model, a contextual and dynamic framework comprising six key dimensions to culturally tailor interventions, as well as programs such as PODER Familiar, a well-being promotion initiative designed for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities.

Her career has also been marked by sustained advocacy for migrant rights and the denunciation of reproductive injustices against racialized women—areas in which she has promoted both research and direct action. In addition, she has played a key role as a mentor to students and early-career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds, supporting the development of a new generation of scholars committed to equity.

Beyond her academic role at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. Suárez-Balcázar maintains a strong and ongoing collaboration with CESPYD, particularly in initiatives related to social justice and the empowerment of Roma women. At CESPYD, we proudly celebrate this well-deserved recognition of a truly inspiring career. Congratulations, Yolanda!

In the following video, you can watch her conference following her nomination: