Julia Kobulsky

Julia Kobulsky is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Temple University's College of Public Health. Her academic work centers on child maltreatment, particularly child neglect, and its long-term impacts on adolescent and young adult health. She is committed to improving child welfare systems through research that informs policy and practice.

Her educational background includes a PhD from Case Western Reserve University, an MA in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a BA in Anthropology from Loyola University Chicago. She completed postdoctoral training at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and was a doctoral fellow with the Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Dr. Kobulsky’s research focuses on the developmental timing, severity, and types of child maltreatment, with a strong emphasis on fathers as both risk and protective factors. She employs longitudinal modeling, psychometrics, and community-engaged methods. Her work aims to refine the conceptualization and measurement of child neglect, contributing to more effective interventions.

Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the health consequences of child maltreatment, including obesity, substance use, and mental health. The research often explores protective factors such as housing and food security, and she leads the Child Maltreatment Prevention Lab at Temple University.

Dr. Kobulsky has received federal funding for her research and collaborates with agencies such as the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services. She teaches courses in child welfare policy and social work research at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Her scientific contributions are recognized through numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals. While no formal awards are listed, her ongoing projects and leadership in prevention science highlight her growing influence in the field.

She advises on child welfare practice improvement and workforce development, including the use of virtual coaching tools. She leads a research lab and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to prevent child sexual abuse recurrence and strengthen family resilience.