Jackie Nelson

Dr. Jackie Nelson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at The University of Texas at Dallas, affiliated with the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. She directs the Family Research Laboratory and the Psychology Master’s program. Her research focuses on family dynamics, particularly parent-child interactions, family stress, and child social-emotional development. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2011), following a B.A. in Psychology from Elon University (2006).

Education:

• Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2011)
• M.S., Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2008)
• B.A., Psychology, Elon University (2006)

Research Interests: Dr. Nelson investigates how family systems influence emotional and behavioral development, including parental responses to children’s emotions, the impact of stress on family interactions, and the role of coparenting in child development. She emphasizes the bidirectional nature of family relationships and environmental influences.

Awards: She received the 2016 Aage Møller Teaching Award for her contributions to undergraduate and graduate education in child development and family psychology.

Lab/Teams: Her work is conducted through the Family Research Lab, focusing on observational studies of family interactions and longitudinal analyses of developmental outcomes.