Karen Bierman’s research focuses on the design and evaluation of school- and community-based prevention programs that promote social-emotional learning and school readiness. She has directed several longitudinal studies evaluating the long-term impact of early school-based and family-focused preventive interventions designed to reduce aggression (Fast Track) and enhance school success (Head Start REDI). She has also developed and evaluated small-group social skill training interventions for peer-rejected children (Friendship Group). Her current research focuses on the longitudinal follow-up of the REDI classroom and parent prevention program participants (funded by the National Institutes of Health) and the evaluation of two new parent-focused guided play interventions to support preschool STEM and social-emotional skills (funded by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences, respectively.
Dr. Bierman has authored more than 230 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters that have appeared in publications such as Child Development, JAMA Pediatrics, Journal of Developmental Psychology, and Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. She has published five books as author or co-editor. Some of her honors and awards include:
- Fellow, American Psychological Association (2019)
- Fellow, Society for Prevention Research (2019)
- Service to SPR Award, Society for Prevention Research (2017)
- Evan Pugh University Professor (2016)
- Fellow, Association of Psychological Science (2016)
- Senior Scientist and Mentor Award, Missouri Prevention Center (2015)
- Prevention Science Award, Society for Prevention Research (2013)
In the future, Dr. Bierman hopes to work with ongoing studies in the area of school readiness, linking school-based with family-focused prevention supports, and scaling up evidence-based interventions.
I appreciate the PRC's vibrant intellectual community focused on promoting prevention science and its outstanding interdisciplinary opportunities for partnerships.
- Karen L. Bierman
Developmental Period(s)
Early Childhood, Childhood
Level(s) of Analysis
Individuals, Families, Schools
Contact Information
251 Moore Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3879
kb2@psu.edu
she/her/hers
Karen Bierman’s research focuses on the design and evaluation of school- and community-based prevention programs that promote social-emotional learning and school readiness. She has directed several longitudinal studies evaluating the long-term impact of early school-based and family-focused preventive interventions designed to reduce aggression (Fast Track) and enhance school success (Head Start REDI). She has also developed and evaluated small-group social skill training interventions for peer-rejected children (Friendship Group). Her current research focuses on the longitudinal follow-up of the REDI classroom and parent prevention program participants (funded by the National Institutes of Health) and the evaluation of two new parent-focused guided play interventions to support preschool STEM and social-emotional skills (funded by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences, respectively.
Dr. Bierman has authored more than 230 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters that have appeared in publications such as Child Development, JAMA Pediatrics, Journal of Developmental Psychology, and Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. She has published five books as author or co-editor. Some of her honors and awards include:
- Fellow, American Psychological Association (2019)
- Fellow, Society for Prevention Research (2019)
- Service to SPR Award, Society for Prevention Research (2017)
- Evan Pugh University Professor (2016)
- Fellow, Association of Psychological Science (2016)
- Senior Scientist and Mentor Award, Missouri Prevention Center (2015)
- Prevention Science Award, Society for Prevention Research (2013)
In the future, Dr. Bierman hopes to work with ongoing studies in the area of school readiness, linking school-based with family-focused prevention supports, and scaling up evidence-based interventions.
I appreciate the PRC's vibrant intellectual community focused on promoting prevention science and its outstanding interdisciplinary opportunities for partnerships.
- Karen L. Bierman
Contact Information
251 Moore Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3879
kb2@psu.edu
she/her/hers
Professional Links
Bierman, K. L., Welsh, J. A., Hall, C. M., Jacobson, L. N., Lee, D. L., & Jones, D. E. (2022). Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. Advance online publication.
Bierman, K.L., & Sheridan, S.M. (Eds.). (2022). Springer.
Welsh, J. A., Bierman, K. L., Nix, R. L., Heinrichs, B., & Gest, S. D. (2020). Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 53, 151-160.
Zhang, X., Gatzke-Kopp, L.M., Fosco, G.M., & Bierman, K.L. (2020). Developmental Psychology, 56, 528-540.
Bierman, K. L., Greenberg, M. T., & The Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group (2020). Multi-tiered social-emotional learning: PATHS and friendship group in the Fast Track Program. In T. W. Farmer, M. Conroy, E. M. Z., Farmer, & Sutherland (Eds.). Handbook of research on emotional & behavioral disorders: Interdisciplinary developmental perspectives on children and youth (pp. 254-260). Routledge.
Bierman, K.L., Coie, J.D., Dodge, K.A., Greenberg, M.T., Lochman, John E., McMahon, R.J., & Pinderhughes. E.E. (2019). Guilford Press.
Jones, D. E., Bierman, K., Crowley, D. M., Welsh, J., & Gest, J. (2019). Child and Family Services Review, 207, 104498.
Bierman, K. L., McDoniel, M., & Loughlin-Presnal, J. (2019). Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 64,101058.
Pepler, D. J., & Bierman, K. L. (2018). University Park, PA: Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University.
Bierman, K.L., Welsh, J.A., Heinrichs, B.S., & Nix, R.L. (2018). JAMA Pediatrics, 172(8), e181029.
