KU News Release

University leaders offer condolences after death of Todd Risley

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas leaders offered condolences today to the family of former KU professor Todd R. Risley.

Risley, a world-renowned pioneer in applied behavioral science and former professor in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science and senior scientist at the Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies for 23 years, died in Palmer, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 2. He was 70 years old. He was professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Alaska at the time of his death.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Todd Risley. Todd was a nationally respected expert in his field, and his contributions will be remembered for generations. On behalf of the university, I extend our condolences to his family and loved ones,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

Risley was still an “active visionary” according to Steven Warren, director of the KU Life Span Institute and interim vice provost for research and graduate studies. “This is a huge loss to his KU and Alaska colleagues and many others across the country and world with whom he continued to collaborate and advise.”

His seminal study of how children acquire language, “Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children,” which he co-authored with KU professor emeritus Betty Hart, is frequently cited by pundits and scholars alike.

Risley was a leader in efforts to take behavioral analysis out of the laboratory and clinic and into community settings.

“He showed us how behavior analysis could enhance human development across an extraordinary range of settings from classrooms, child-care centers, residential and community treatment centers and beyond,” said Warren.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.