As a new assistant professor, Seth King seeks to answer big questions in special education.

King received his Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration in behavioral and emotional disorders from Appalachian State University in 2009 and completed his Ph.D. in Instruction and Learning from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013. Before coming to the University of Iowa, King was an assistant professor at Tennessee Technological University.

King is looking forward to being part of the Iowa City community and taking advantage of the University of Iowa’s resources.

“The University of Iowa is exactly the place you want to be at if you want to answer questions,” says King, whose appointment is in the Department of Teaching and Learning.

King’s research focuses on the effectiveness of behavior management interventions and the application of applied behavior analysis. He is also analyzing the methods of determining the function of inappropriate behavior. Additionally, King has recently completed a manuscript on using virtual reality simulations as a tool for training school personnel.

“I want my students to know that the things they do and the decisions they make matter in the lives of their students,” says King. “I want to make sure the gravity of what they are doing isn’t lost on them. You are trying to make a difference and help the lives of the learner.”