Dean Phillips Recognized with Distinguished Researcher Award 

We are pleased to announce that Rhonda Phillips, Dean of the John Martinson Honors College, was recognized with the Distinguished Quality-of-Life Researcher Award by the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies at its annual conference. The award recognized Phillips for her continued research on quality of life and well-being, a focus on community building, and outstanding guidance and work toward growing livelihoods and economic revitalization.

The International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) is an organization established to encourage and promote research in the fields of well-being, happiness science and quality-of-life studies. Over the last 27 years, they have become a globally recognized professional organization providing publications, journals, and conferences around the world.

“The Distinguished Quality of Life Researcher Award is the most prestigious recognition given annually by the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS)” said Jill Johnson, Executive Director of ISQOLS. “Given her substantial contribution to quality-of-life research and community development, Rhonda Phillips is incredibly deserving of this award. We feel privileged as an organization to honor her, and we are grateful for her leadership and support of our society.”

Phillips has served the ISQOLS organization including in elected positions since 2010. In addition to her work with ISQOLS, Phillips has authored or edited over 30 academic books on the subjects of community and economic development and quality of life, including the textbooks, Introduction to Community Development and the Handbook of Community Well-Being Research.  

Phillips was joined by Jason Ware, clinical associate professor at the John Martinson Honors College, and two undergraduate research students also from the honors college. The student researchers presented work they’ve done in the Lafayette, Indiana community under the guidance of Ware. 

Both Ware and Phillips are Co-Directors of the Happiness and Well-Being Learning Collaborative, a partnership with the John Martinson Honors College at Purdue. The program brings together researchers, scholars, educators, and residents to explore improving well-being individually and in communities. 

“Well-being continues to be an ever increasingly important area of inquiry and application, and we strive to provide opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to explore its importance and impact on individuals and our community” Phillips says. “The ability for students to present at an internationally known scholarly conference is an invaluable way for them to present their research and connect with a global network of scholars and policymakers.” For more information on Dean Phillips and her work with the Happiness and Well-Being Learning Collaborative, contact the John Martinson Honors College at Purdue University.

Writer: Leslie Valiant lvaliant@purdue.edu