American Councils for International Education is delighted to announce that Dr. Dan E. Davidson, President Emeritus and Director of the American Councils Research Center (ARC), has been awarded the thirty-seventh Kenneth W. Mildenberger Prize by the Modern Language Association of America (MLA). This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr. Davidson's exceptional contributions to language education through his latest book, Transformative Language Learning and Teaching, co-authored with Betty Lou Leaver and Christine Campbell, for Cambridge University Press (2021).
The Prize Committee, chaired by Gillian Lord (University of Florida) and including members Emma Trentman (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque) and Heather Willis Allen (University of Wisconsin, Madison), commended the collaborative effort of Dr. Davidson, Betty Lou Leaver, and Christine Campbell. The committee praised their work, Transformative Language Learning and Teaching, for its comprehensive exploration of transformative learning, and for effectively blending theoretical perspectives with practical examples from around the world, highlighting its potential as a key resource for educators, administrators, and researchers in language education.
Dr. Davidson holds the Ph.D. in Slavic Languages from Harvard University and taught previously at Harvard University, Amherst College, the University of Maryland and Bryn Mawr College, where he now holds the rank of Professor Emeritus. His published works comprise approximately 50 scholarly articles, 30 policy reports and studies, 25 edited volumes and 9 co-authored textbooks in the fields of language, culture, and educational development, including a pioneering 20-year longitudinal study of adult second language acquisition. He is founding president of American Councils for International Education and served as the organization’s CEO until July 2017.
Under Dr. Davidson's leadership, the American Councils Research Center (ARC) provides data and conducts research on language learning and usage within both educational and professional environments. Its mission is to deliver essential information to policymakers at every level to assist in the formulation of effective language education policies. Building upon the achievements of American Councils, ARC focuses on areas such as language assessment, advanced language learning, immersion experiences, and intercultural development, with its team producing materials recognized both nationally and internationally.
Founded in 1883, the Modern Language Association of America (MLA) connects over 20,000 members across 100 countries, promoting the study and teaching of languages and literature. The Kenneth W. Mildenberger Prize, established in 1979 by the MLA Executive Council, honors outstanding works in language, culture, literacy, and literature.