Caitlyn Hauff

Caitlyn Hauff, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport at the University of South Alabama. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University (2011), an M.S. in Kinesiology-Sport and Exercise Psychology from Georgia Southern University (2013), and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with focus on Weight Studies and Health Behavior Change from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2016). Her research emphasizes psychosocial aspects of weight, body image, and health promotion, particularly addressing weight bias and inclusive exercise environments. She is actively involved in developing mental health programs for nursing students and advocating for social justice in kinesiology curricula.

Dr. Hauff's teaching philosophy emphasizes creating inclusive learning environments that challenge students to think critically about societal issues while fostering personal growth. She has pioneered courses integrating social justice themes into kinesiology education and advises on JagFIT, the university's wellness initiative. Her outreach includes leadership roles in the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and editing roles for Performance Enhancement & Health and the Journal of Sport Behavior.

Her research trends focus on: 1) Inclusive fitness apparel's impact on body confidence, 2) Weight stigma in healthcare and exercise settings, 3) Mental health strategies for student-athletes, and 4) Curriculum reforms promoting equity in kinesiology education. While not explicitly mentioned, her work frequently intersects with nursing student well-being and pandemic-related health behaviors.

Professional contributions include co-editing academic journals and serving on committees addressing eating disorders in sport psychology contexts. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in athlete development, community health initiatives, and educational policy.