Howard Gardner is John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education and co-founder and senior director of Project Zero.  He is internationally known for his theory of multiple intelligences, which profoundly transforms the field of education in authentic assessment, teacher development, human potential, and curriculum design and implementation.  His interdisciplinary research program, including Project Zero and the Good Project, has advanced groundbreaking understanding on student creativity and engagement.  His research contributions have been recognized by the MacArthur Prize Fellowship, the John S. Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship, and numerous prestigious fellowships and awards.  

The Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award is the premier acknowledgment of outstanding achievement and success in education research. Its purpose is to publicize, motivate, encourage, and suggest models for education research at its best. The winner of the award will be invited to give the Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award Lecture at the following Annual Meeting.