Jennifer L. Austin

Dr. Jennifer L. Austin serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Learning Sciences within Georgia State University's College of Education & Human Development. With over 20 years of clinical and research experience in behavior analysis, she maintains active roles in both academic leadership and international professional organizations. Her prior position as Professor of Psychology and Head of Behavior Analysis at the University of South Wales underscores significant cross-continental expertise.

Her educational foundation includes M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Florida State University completed under Dr. Jon Bailey's supervision. This training established her specialization in practical behavior analytic applications across diverse settings.

Dr. Austin's research program centers on behavior analytic applications in school environments and extending evidence-based practices to underserved populations. Her work demonstrates particular innovation in adapting behavioral interventions for prisoners, children in mainstream education, and those affected by abuse or neglect. Recent publications reveal a methodological emphasis on trauma-informed adaptations of established techniques like the Good Behavior Game, with careful attention to ethical implementation and cultural responsiveness.

Analysis of her 2019-2022 publications shows consistent output in high-impact journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and JAMA Network Open. Her work bridges behavior analysis with clinical psychology, education, and forensic contexts, demonstrating interdisciplinary relevance while maintaining behavioral science rigor. Key thematic threads include ethical considerations in intervention design, systematic adaptation of evidence-based practices, and addressing critical gaps in services for vulnerable populations.

Her notable recognition includes:

• Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) award for international contributions (2020)

Dr. Austin's professional service significantly shapes the field through former editorial roles at the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis in Practice, alongside past presidency of the UK Society for Behavior Analysis. While specific grant details aren't provided in the source text, her sustained publication record across multiple high-impact journals indicates active research funding. Her work provides substantial opportunities for graduate students interested in evidence-based behavior analysis with real-world applications.

Though no specific laboratory is named, Dr. Austin's affiliation with Georgia State's College of Education & Human Development connects her to multiple research centers including the Aphasia & Motor Speech Disorders Laboratory and Center for Research on Atypical Development and Learning, facilitating collaborative work across behavior analysis and educational contexts.