Saltanat Childress, PhD, MSW, MM

Dr. Saltanat Childress is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work whose scholarship focuses on the prevention of interpersonal violence and adverse childhood experiences across the lifespan, particularly among immigrant, refugee, and underserved populations in the United States and low- and middle-income countries. Her work integrates prevention science, implementation science, and community-engaged research to address child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, family stress, and mental health disparities through culturally responsive, multilevel interventions.

Dr. Childress’s research has received national and international recognition for its innovation and impact. She currently serves as Principal Investigator of an NIH/NICHD-funded career development award focused on adapting and implementing evidence-based family and school interventions in Kyrgyzstan to prevent child maltreatment and improve child and family well-being. Her work emphasizes cross-sector collaboration, relational health, and the integration of economic empowerment approaches into prevention programming.

An active contributor to the field of social work education and prevention science, Dr. Childress serves in leadership roles within the Society for Prevention Research, including as Co-Chair of the International Committee Violence Prevention and Research Collaboration Subcommittees. She has organized and moderated international panels and symposia focused on global prevention research and immigrant and refugee communities. She is also engaged in editorial and peer-review activities for multiple scholarly journals and has received recognition for excellence in peer review, including the 2026 Families in Society Richard K. Caputo Peer Review Award and the journal’s 2025 Best Reviewer Award.

Dr. Childress’s scholarship and service have previously been recognized through several national honors, including the Council on Social Work Education’s 2021 Violence Against Women and Children Manuscript Award and the 2022 Feminist Manuscript Award. Her work has also been highlighted by the University of Texas at Arlington for advancing research on immigrant families, resilience, and well-being.

In addition to her research contributions, Dr. Childress is deeply committed to mentoring students and advancing excellence in social work education. Her teaching emphasizes experiential learning, trauma-informed practice, and the development of culturally responsive prevention and intervention skills among future social workers.
Through her scholarship, leadership, teaching, and service, Dr. Childress continues to contribute to the advancement of social work education and the development of innovative approaches to promoting family and community well-being locally and globally.