Robert Pianta

University of Virginia

Dean

Robert Pianta, PhD, is Dean of the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development, Novartis U.S. Foundation Professor of Education, Professor of Psychology, and founding director of the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) at the University of Virginia. Dr. Pianta's research and policy interests focus on the intersection of education and human development. In particular his work has been influential in advancing the conceptualization of teacher-student interactions and relationships and documenting their contributions to students' learning and development. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 articles, 50 chapters, and 10 books and led research and training grants totaling over million. Dr. Pianta has led research and development on measurement and improvement tools that help teachers interact with students more effectively and that are used widely in the United States and around the world. Dr. Pianta received a BS and an MA in Special Education from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. He began his career as a special education teacher and joined the University of Virginia faculty in 1986. He is past editor of the Journal of School Psychology and associate editor for AERA Open. An internationally recognized expert in both early childhood education and K-12 teaching and learning, Dr. Pianta regularly consults with federal agencies, foundations, universities, and governments. He was named a Fellow of the American Education Research Association and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Minnesota in 2016.