Tim Cavell

Tim Cavell is a Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Arkansas. He is a clinical child and family psychologist whose research focuses on prevention and intervention for children at risk due to aggression, bullying, or family circumstances such as military deployment. His work is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Institute of Education Sciences, and the Department of Defense.

His research explores school-based mentoring, parent involvement in natural mentoring, and integrated behavioral health care. He leads the Center for Research on Aggression and Victimization (CRAV), where his team evaluates interventions involving teachers, parents, and mentors to support children’s social and emotional development.

Dr. Cavell's recent publications reflect a consistent focus on peer victimization, mentoring dynamics, military-connected youth, and school-based mental health. His work shows strong trends in understanding risk and protective factors in child development, especially through mentoring relationships and school environments. He has contributed significantly to measurement development, such as the Inventory of School Supports for youth.

• University of Arkansas, Award for Outstanding Contributions to Service Learning
• Fellow, Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

Dr. Cavell has served as a principal investigator on multiple federally funded grants, including a $749,449 DoD grant (2022–2025) on digital support for military-connected students and prior IES and NIDA grants exceeding $1.3 million each. He mentors graduate students and teaches courses in psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and advanced seminars on bullying and mentoring. He is also actively involved in national leadership roles in the American Psychological Association and clinical child psychology organizations.

He directs the Center for Research on Aggression and Victimization (CRAV), which conducts intervention research with aggressive and victimized children, mentors, and families. The lab emphasizes evidence-based practices and translation of research into school and community settings.