Michael Palmer

Other titles

Director of the Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (C-ABA) Program

Not considering graduate supervision for the 2027 intake.

I am an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Programs at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, where I oversee both the Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (C-ABA) and the Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis (MABA) programs. I earned my Master’s degree (2014) and Ph.D. (2017) from Central Michigan University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2015.

My professional background includes clinical and supervisory roles at the Central Autism Treatment Center, where I supported individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. I was also a member of Michigan’s first Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) cohort, which fostered my commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative care.

Since 2017, I have been actively involved in advancing behaviour analysis across Atlantic Canada, including serving as President of the Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis (APABA).

My teaching emphasizes engagement, inclusivity, and real-world application, with a focus on preparing students for meaningful careers in behaviour analysis and related fields.

My research focuses on cross-cultural applications of behaviour analysis, the analysis of verbal behaviour in written and organizational contexts, and the integration of qualitative methods within behavioural science. I also have a strong interest in organizational behaviour management and improving workplace systems.

Across my work, I aim to advance behaviour analysis in ways that are compassionate, critically reflective, and responsive to diverse populations, with an emphasis on neuro-affirming and context-sensitive practice.

Research and publications

Palmer, M. G. (2023). Giving performance feedback that makes a difference. In Hall, C., Maich, K., & Anderson, B. M. (Eds.) People Skills for Behavior Analysts (1st ed.). Routledge.

Palmer, M. G. (2023). Interviewing strategies: Integrating practices from industrial/organizational psychology into behaviour analysis for successful hiring. In Hall, C., Maich, K., & Anderson, B. M. (Eds.) People Skills for Behavior Analysts (1st ed.). Routledge.

Palmer, M. G. & Johnson, C. M. (2023). Observing the behavior of organisms in organizational behavior management. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 44 (2), 125-149 .

Palmer, M. G. (2023). Statement on the Use of Procedures that Increase Risk of Harm [White Paper]. Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis.

Palmer, M. G., Black, J. L., Levis, C., Robinson, N., Kaye, S., Legacy, D., & Nau, P. (2021). Statement on the Professional Practice of Behaviour Analysis in the Atlantic Provinces [White Paper]. Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis.

Palmer, M. G., & Johnson, C. M. (2019). Experimenter presence in human behavior analytic laboratory studies: Confound it? Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 19(4), 303–314.

Education

• Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology) Central Michigan University (2017)
• M.S. (Applied Experimental Psychology) Central Michigan University, (2014)
• M.S. (Applied Experimental Psychology) Central Michigan University, (2014)

Teaching

• Undergraduate courses:
  • PSYC 2515 - Foundations of Learning
  • PSYC 3125 - Single Case Research Design
  • PSYC 3515 - Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • PSYC 3565 - Clinical Behaviour Change
  • PSYC 3575 - Organizational Behaviour Management
  • Practicum Courses in ABA

Professional awards and achievements

• MI-LEND Fellow
• Nominated for UNB Faculty of Arts Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018, 2021, 2022)
• Nominated for the Dr. Allan P. Stuart Award for Excellence in Teaching (2020)
• CHSBS Student Paper Competition Award (2014)