Diane W Bales
Professor, Extension Human Development Specialist, and Child Life Program Director
Areas of expertise
Education SystemsPsychologyCognitive SciencesPolicy and AdministrationArtificial Intelligence and Image ProcessingNursing
About
Dr. Bales directs the UGA Child Life Program to prepare students to support children’s social/emotional needs in healthcare settings. She leads the statewide Better Brains for Babies initiative to educate adults about early brain development. She leads multiple projects related to the prevention of opioid misuse and reduction of stigma around substance use and educating adults to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in youth and adults.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Developmental and Child Psychology
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MN, United States (1998)
Master of Science, Developmental and Child Psychology
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MN, United States (1995)
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, General
Carleton College, MN, United States (1990)
Awards and Honors
- Student Career Success Influencer Award 2024 (2025)
- NEAFCS Southern Region Award: Healthy Indoor Environments newsletter, 1st place (2025)
- NEAFCS National Award: Healthy Indoor Environments newsletter, 1st place (2025)
- GEAFCS Award: Healthy Indoor Environments newsletter, 1st place (2025)
- NEAFCS National Award: Rightsizing curriculum, 1st place (2025)
- GEAFCS Award: Environmental Education, Rightsizing curriculum, 1st place (2025)
- Student Career Success Influencer Award 2024 (2024)
- Engaged Scholar Award (2024)
- Early Childhood Child Care Training Award (2018)
- Early Childhood Child Care Training Award (2018)
- Early Childhood Child Care Training Award (2018)
- Educational Curriculum Award (2018)
- Educational Curriculum Award (2018)
- Educational Curriculum Award (2018)
- Human Development/Family Relationships Award (2018)
- Human Development/Family Relationships Award (2018)
- Educational Technology Award (2018)
- Newsletter Award (2018)
- SNAP-Ed Educational Program Award (2018)
- Social Media Education Online Video Award (2018)
- Social Media Education Online Video Award (2018)
- Community Partnership Award (2018)
- Communications: Newsletter Award (2018)
- Communications: Education Technology (2018)
- GATFACS Postsecondary Teacher of the Year (2016)
- Early Childhood Child Care Training Award (2016)
- Educational Curriculum Package Team Award (2016)
- Educational Curriculum Package Team Award (2016)
- Early Childhood Child Care Training Award (2016)
- Early Childhood Child Care Training Award (2015)
- Early Childhood Child Care Training Award (2015)
- Social Networking Award (2014)
- Educational Curriculum Package Team Award (2014)
- Social Networking Award (2014)
- Social Networking Award (2014)
- Educational Curriculum Package Team Award (2014)
- Educational Curriculum Package Team Award (2014)
- Early Childhood Child Care Team Award (2013)
- Early Childhood Child Care Team Award (2013)
- Presidential Citation (2013)
- Early Childhood Child Care Team Award (2012)
- Early Childhood Child Care Team Award (2012)
- Early Childhood Child Care Team Award (2011)
- Team Diversity Award (2009)
- Educational Publications Team Award (2009)
- Educational Publications Team Award (2009)
- Educational Publications Team Award (2009)
- Epsilon Sigma Phi Membership (2003)
Courses
- FYOS 1001: First-Year Odyssey Seminar (Fall 2025)
- CLEX 1001: Child Life Student Exchange (Fall 2025)
- HDFS 7930: Hospital Internship in Child Life (Fall 2025)
- HDFS 7010: Directed Study in Human Development and Family Science (Fall 2025)
- HDFS 9300: Doctoral Dissertation (Fall 2025)
- HDFS 8910: Current Research and Issues in Human Development and Family Science (Fall 2025)
- HDFS 6900: Seminar in Human Development and Family Science (Fall 2025)
- HDFS 9000: Doctoral Research (Spring 2026)
- HDFS 7130S: Therapeutic Benefits of Play (Spring 2026)
- HDFS 7300: Master's Thesis (Spring 2026)
- HDFS 8910: Current Research and Issues in Human Development and Family Science (Spring 2026)
- HDFS 7020: Non-Thesis Clinical Project in Child Life (Spring 2026)
- CLEX 1001: Child Life Student Exchange (Spring 2026)
- HDFS 5920: Internship in Human Development and Family Science (Spring 2026)
- HDFS 9010: Directed Study in Human Development and Family Science (Summer 2026)
- HDFS 7000: Master's Research (Summer 2026)
- HDFS 7010: Directed Study in Human Development and Family Science (Fall 2026)
- HDFS 9000: Doctoral Research (Fall 2026)
- HDFS 6900: Seminar in Human Development and Family Science (Fall 2026)
- HDFS 8910: Current Research and Issues in Human Development and Family Science (Fall 2026)
- CLEX 1001: Child Life Student Exchange (Fall 2026)
- FYOS 1001: First-Year Odyssey Seminar (Fall 2026)
Scholarly Works
- Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in the Early Care and Education Setting as a Strategy to Improve Teacher Knowledge and Self-Efficacy, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION JOURNAL, (2026).
- Enhancing pediatric MRI research protocols: Utilizing developmentally appropriate principles and incorporating certified child life specialists, DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, (2026).
- Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in the Early Care and Education Setting as a Strategy to Improve Teacher Knowledge and Self-Efficacy, Early Childhood Education Journal, (2025).
- Rightsizing to Age in Place: Educational Outreach Programs to Help People Reduce Clutter in Their Homes, (2025).
- Household Clutter Control, (2025).
Contact
Mailing Address
222 Hoke Smith Annex
Athens, GA 30602-4356
Shipping Address
222 Hoke Smith Annex
Athens, GA 30602-4356
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