Introducing our Fellows: 

Dr. Clark, Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, has dedicated her career to understanding and promoting motor skill development, particularly in infants and young children, including those with movement difficulties. Her passion for helping children develop the competence and confidence to be physically active throughout their lives has guided her extensive research and academic leadership.

 

During her tenure at the University of Maryland, Dr. Clark served as chair of the Department of Kinesiology (2000–2010) and as dean of the School of Public Health (2012–2016). Her research, funded by prestigious organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, has been foundational to our understanding of motor development across the lifespan. Recently, in 2022, she received the Hetherington Award, recognizing her outstanding service to the National Academy of Kinesiology and her significant contributions to advancing the field of kinesiology and physical education.

 

Among her most cited works is The Mountain of Motor Development: A Metaphor (Clark & Metcalfe, 2002), which presents a comprehensive framework illustrating how motor skills evolve through distinct periods of life, emphasizing the sequential and cumulative nature of development. Another highly influential publication, On the Problem of Motor Skill Development (Clark, 2007), challenges misconceptions about maturation and highlights the critical role of practice and environmental interaction in acquiring motor skills.

 

Throughout her career, Dr. Clark has authored over 98 peer-reviewed articles, edited seven books, and served on multiple editorial boards, including as the founding editor of Kinesiology Review. Her leadership and research have been recognized nationally, reflecting her lifelong commitment to advancing motor development research and practice.

 

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Jane E. Clark's enduring impact on the field and her exemplary contributions as an I-MDRC Fellow.

​

Read some of her work here. 

 

This feature is part of our ongoing series highlighting our I-MDRC fellows. Stay tuned to meet more of our outstanding members!