Andrea Taliaferro, Ph.D., CAPE

Andrea Taliaferro, Ph.D., CAPE, is a Professor in the Department of Educational and Developmental Science at the University of South Carolina. She is the Program Coordinator for the Physical Education Program, and also is the degree coordinator for the Master’s in Adapted Physical Education Program. She formerly was a professor at West Virginia University (2010-2023). She holds a national certification from NCPERID as a Certified Adapted Physical Educator and has experience working with individuals with disabilities in a variety of physical activity/education contexts including school- and community-based programming. She has contributed to interdisciplinary initiatives including McDowell CHOICES and the National Inclusion Project Partnership. She has served as the Vice-President (2019-2021) and Member -At-Large (2012-2014, 2021-2023) for the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities. Taliaferro’s research focuses on minimizing health disparities for individuals with disabilities through the improvement of inclusive physical activity opportunities in school- and community- based settings. Specifically, her research explores (a) teacher/instructor preparation and self-efficacy toward teaching individuals with disabilities, (b) barriers and facilitators to inclusion, and (c) physical activity policy and related interventions within educational and community settings.