Two USF faculty rank in the top ten most productive school psychology researchers internationally

Two faculty members from the University of South Florida College of Education have been recognized as among the top ten most productive school psychology researchers internationally. Evan Dart, an associate professor and program coordinator of the School Psychology program, and Nathaniel von der Embse, a professor of school psychology, have achieved this prestigious recognition based on their prolific research output.

The ranking, published by the journal "Psychology in the Schools," analyzed research productivity data from 921 faculty members globally, covering the period from January 2016 to December 2020. Dart secured the third position with an impressive 69 publications, while von der Embse ranked eighth with 55 publications. This achievement highlights their significant contributions to the field of school psychology.

Dart and von der Embse are co-executive directors of the School Mental Health Collaborative, which conducts research to inform policy and practice related to the social, emotional, and behavioral success of all students and to support the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices in educational settings.

With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, professional articles, and book chapters, von der Embse has set out to improve educational decision-making through his research by identifying the influence of external policies and contextual drivers and developing solutions for school and mental health assessments and interventions. He received the 2018 Lightner Witmer Award for Early Career Scholarships from the American Psychological Association. His research has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Conversation, and the Tampa Bay Times.

Dart's research focuses on identifying evidence-based interventions to improve students' behavioral and mental health and evaluates assessment techniques. He has over 70 peer-reviewed publications, professional articles, and book chapters and has co-edited or co-authored three books. Dart received the 2019 Lightner Witmer Award for Early Career Scholarship from the American Psychological Association.

The recognition of Dart and von der Embse underscores the University of South Florida's commitment to excellence in research and education. Their dedication and hard work have brought international acclaim to USF's School Psychology program.