Professor Dana DeHart joined the faculty of the College of Social Work in 1997. Following graduate studies in experimental social psychology at the University of Louisville Department of Psychology, she served as a postdoctoral research fellow and visiting assistant professor in the University of South Carolina Department of Psychology.

In her role as assistant dean for research, DeHart contributes to assessment, planning and building the college’s research infrastructure. 

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Professor DeHart’s publications focus on violence and victimization, particularly pathways to crime and the incarceration of adult and juvenile female offenders. She has recently co-authored book chapters and scientific journal articles on topics including, the role of substance abuse and mental health in female offending, the impact of incarceration on prisoners and their families, and developing a taxonomy of offenders who solicit children online. Her publications have been featured in scholarly journals, such as Psychology of Women Quarterly, Psychiatric Services, Criminal Justice & Behavior, and Prevention Science.