Dr. Tarkington J. Newman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, Affiliated Assistant Professor in the Department of Education, and Affiliated Researcher for the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) Center at the University of New Hampshire. Additionally, they serve as Faculty for the Online Sport Social Work Certificate program offered by the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Research Fellow for the U.S. Center for Mental Health and Sport, Chair of the Research Committee for the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS), and member of Mental Health Research Advisory Board for the America East Academic Consortium.
Through their Sport Social Work (SSW) Research Lab, Dr. Newman is committed to serving youth populations (ages 10-24) who are socially vulnerable and/or at-risk for behavioral and mental health problems. Their research has actively engaged populations including youth of color, youth from economically disadvantaged urban communities, and LGBTQ+ youth. Specifically, Dr. Newman’s research focuses on promoting critical positive youth development (CPYD) through sport and other forms of physical activity. Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, their research investigates mechanisms that promote the development and transfer of normative life skills (e.g., emotional regulation, communication, teamwork, leadership) and social justice life skills (e.g., antiracism, LGBTQ+ allyship, healthy masculinity, mental health literacy). The culmination of Dr. Newman’s research is related to creation of CPYD-focused coach education and the use of social work practice in sport settings (i.e., sport social work). To date, they have published 49 peer-reviewed journal articles, presented 49 peer-reviewed international and national presentations, and helped secure $3,612,050 in grant funding/contracts for research.
Dr. Newman earned their BS in psychology (nutrition minor, coaching endorsement) at Central Michigan University and MSW at the University of Michigan (school social work certification), as well as a MS in kinesiology (sport management concentration) and PhD in social work at The Ohio State University. In addition to their scholarship, Dr. Newman has over 15 years of experience coaching track and field, winning three high school state championships in Michigan.
