Tia N. Barnes

Associate Professor

Dr. Tia N. Barnes is an associate professor in Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware. She teaches courses related to special education, guidance and behavior, and social-emotional learning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her research focuses on the social-emotional well-being of minoritized populations. To study this she focuses on the areas of social-emotional learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, and special education.

Currently, Dr. Barnes is the principal investigator for a Delaware Department of Health and Social Services -funded grant to examine the physical and mental health, social media use, and discrimination experiences of black girls ages 10-19 in the state of Delaware. She also serves as co-PI of a National Science Foundation-funded grant to develop cybersecurity education for upper elementary-aged students by using storytelling and social robots.

Her research has been published in Prevention Science, International Journal of Educational Research, Aggression and Violent Behavior, Infant and Child Development, Journal of School Violence, and Developmental Review.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Special Education: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2013
• M.Ed., Special Education: Reading Disabilities, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2009
• B.S., Psychology: Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2007

Professional Experience

• Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware, 2023-present
• Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware, 2016-2023
• Postdoctoral Training, Yale University, 2014-2016
• Postdoctoral Training, University of Florida, 2013-2014

Recent Professional Awards

• Nomination for CEC-DR Early Career Publication Award, 2017
• University of Florida Presidential Scholarship, 2003-2007
• Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society, 2005
• Beta Eta Sigma Black Honor Society, 2005