Faculty
Frank Biafora
Professor
CONTACT
Office: St. Petersburg Campus, DAV Hall, 100
Phone: (727) 873-4292
Email
BIO
Frank A. Biafora (Ph.D., 1991, University of Miami) is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at the University of South Florida. His research, which has been published in leading journals including International Review of Victimology, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and Law and Human Behavior, and Education examines a variety of topics related to youth and adolescent development, delinquency, barriers to academic achievement, substance use, and adoption. Having recently completed an 11-year appointment as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus (2007-2018), Dr. Biafora continues to engage in community-based scholarship and he teaches courses in support of the ISS major on the St. Petersburg campus. He has also, for the past ten years, led a summer study abroad course to Vietnam in fulfillment of a long-established partnership with colleagues at Vinh University. His most recent funded grant project, in collaboration with the City of St. Petersburg, explores the workforce mindset among disengaged youth. He is the recipient of the 2025 USF Excellence in Global Teaching and Learning Award (for years 2023-24).
EDUCATION
Ph.D., University of Miami, 1991
B.A./M.A., University of Florida