Diana M. DiNitto

Diana M. DiNitto is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and the Cullen Trust Centennial Professor in Alcohol Studies and Education at The University of Texas at Austin's Steve Hicks School of Social Work. She also serves as an affiliate faculty member in Women's and Gender Studies and the American Studies Department, demonstrating her interdisciplinary approach to social welfare issues.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Florida State University. Prior to her current position, she worked in substance abuse treatment programs at Apalachee Community Mental Health Services in Tallahassee, Florida, and was a faculty member at the Florida State University School of Social Work. She has held visiting professorships at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, University of Sydney (Australia), and Tallinn University (Estonia).

Dr. DiNitto's research spans social welfare policy, alcohol and drug problems, violence against women, and suicide prevention across age groups. Her work demonstrates particular expertise in the intersection of substance abuse and violence, as well as gerontological social work. She has published extensively, including multiple editions of key textbooks such as Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy and Chemical Dependency: A Systems Approach.

Her recent research has focused on behavioral health workforce development, integrated healthcare models, and suicide prevention, with notable publications examining youth and older adult suicide patterns. Her analysis of firearm-related suicides among youth and older adults has contributed significantly to public understanding of these critical issues.

• Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare
• Lifetime Achievement Award of the Social Welfare Policy and Practice Group
• Social Work Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Association of Social Workers-Texas
• Lora Lee Pederson Teaching Excellence Award
• Texas Excellence Teaching Award (received twice)
• Honorary doctorate from Tallinn University (2022)

Dr. DiNitto has secured significant research funding for projects addressing behavioral health workforce education, integrated healthcare services, and substance abuse treatment. Her work with the CSWE Gero-Ed project and Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training initiatives demonstrates her commitment to advancing social work education and practice. She has also conducted important needs assessments related to violence against women and services for minority senior populations.

Her research laboratory focuses on behavioral health interventions, particularly those addressing substance abuse in trauma settings and among vulnerable populations. Her interdisciplinary team collaborates across social work, public health, and medical disciplines to develop evidence-based interventions for complex social problems.