TORONTO, April 4, 2001 -- York University Professor Debra Pepler has been named "Educator of the Year" by the University of Toronto chapter of the international association of professional educators, Phi Delta Kappa.

Pepler is a professor of psychology and director of York University's LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution, where she has conducted extensive research on children at risk, aggression and victimization among adolescents, and school bullying.

"I am delighted to be honoured as Phi Delta Kappa's Educator of the Year," said Pepler. "The award is a recognition of our work on children's aggression and victimization, which arises out of a major initiative within the LaMarsh Centre to reduce violence in the lives of children and youth."

York University Vice-President Research and Innovation, Stan Shapson, congratulated Pepler on behalf of the York community. "Dr. Pepler combines excellent research with community outreach and leadership to help educators cope with aggression in our schools," said Shapson, adding that researchers at York working across several disciplines have a history of making a difference in people's lives.

The LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution is one of 21 organized research units at York University, where faculty conduct cross-disciplinary research on a broad range of subjects in pure and applied science, social science and humanities.

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For further information, please contact:

Debra Pepler Director, LaMarsh Centre York University  (416) 736-5528 pepler@yorku.ca	Stan Shapson VP Research and Innovation York University  (416) 736-5479 sshapson@edu.yorku.ca	Susan Bigelow Media Relations York University  (416) 736-2100, ext. 22091 sbigelow@yorku.ca

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