Tracy M. Scull, Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist
She/Her/Hers

Tracy Scull

OVERVIEW

Dr. Scull is a Senior Research Scientist at iRT and holds a doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Duke University. She is a nationally recognized expert in media literacy education, sexual health promotion, substance use prevention, and parent–child communication and has secured over 14 million dollars in federal funding for her research.

Her research program centers on three core areas: (1) examining how media and digital environments shape youth health and development; (2) designing innovative, developmentally appropriate interventions that build young people’s critical thinking skills about media; and (3) equipping parents with effective strategies to communicate with their children about complex topics such as puberty, sexual health, alcohol, and drugs.

Dr. Scull is the creator of the Media Aware and Media Aware Parent programs—evidence-based, technology-enhanced interventions that strengthen media literacy skills, support healthy decision-making, and foster open communication about relationships and sexual health among tweens, adolescents, young adults, and their families. She has also played pivotal roles in the development and evaluation of the Media Detective, Media Detective Family, Media Ready, and Media World programs that apply a media literacy framework to prevent youth substance use.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Scull has published extensively in leading journals across media effects, media literacy, health communication, child/adolescent development, and prevention science. Her work is distinguished by a strong commitment to translation—ensuring that rigorous research results in practical, scalable resources that improve the health and well-being of youth and families nationwide.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, trying to keep up her French skills by listening to podcasts, and bingeing British TV shows.

BACKGROUND

Ph.D., 2004, Developmental Psychology, Duke University
M.A., 2001, Developmental Psychology, Duke University
B.A., 1998, (with College Honors), Psychology (minor French), Carnegie Mellon University

PUBLICATIONS

Journal Articles

Evans-Paulson, R., Dodson, C. V., Scull, T. M., Schmidt, A. M., Green, J., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2025). Barriers and facilitators to providing sexual health programming at community colleges across the U.S.: A qualitative study with administrators, faculty, and staff.  Translational Behavioral Medicine, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaf038

Scull, T.M., Stump, K.N., Evans-Paulson, R., Dodson, C.V., & Schoeman, A. (online 2025). Moving towards a more comprehensive standard for sex education: A latent class analysis and examination of young adult sexual health.  Journal of Sex Research. https://doi:10.1080/00224499.2025.2475549

Parker, A. E., Scull, T. M., Green, J., & Stump, K. (2025). Evaluation of an interactive, educational website developed for adolescents to learn about pediatric clinical trials: DigiKnowIt News. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 39(3), 335-345. https://doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2024.10.013

Scull, T.M., Dodson, C.V., Kupersmidt, J.B., Evans-Paulson, R., Stump, K.N., & Reeder, L.C. (2024). A media literacy education approach to sexual health promotion: Immediate effects of Media Aware on the sexual health cognitions of young adult community college students. Journal of Health Communication, 29(11–12), 716–725. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2024.2433527

Dodson, C.V., Evans-Paulson, R., & Scull, T.M. (2025). Examining resources to promote sexual health and address sexual violence at community colleges across the United States: A qualitative study. Journal of American College Health, 73(3), 1138-1145. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2427054

Evans-Paulson, R., Ahuna, K., Scull, T. M., Dodson, C. V., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (online 2024). Acceptability and fidelity of a media literacy education-based comprehensive sexual health intervention for college students: A multi-method student-centered evaluation. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2024.2415308

Paulson-Evans, R., Scull, T.M., Stump, K.N., Dodson, C.V., and Armstrong, M.  (online 2024).  An examination of the sexual health behaviors and cognitions of young U.S. community college students with respect to the intersection of gender and sexual identity.  Journal of American College Health, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2378294

Evans-Paulson, R., Dodson, C.V., & Scull, T.M. (2024). Critical media attitudes as a buffer against the harmful effects of pornography on beliefs about sexual and dating violence.  Sex Education, 24(6), 799-815. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2023.2241133

Parker, A., Scull, T.M., & Kennedy, K.L. (2023).  Efficacy of DigiKnowIt News: Teen, a multimedia educational website for adolescent about pediatric clinical trials: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.  Trials, 24, 436. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07464-0

Dodson, C.V., Scull, T.M., & Schoemann, A. (2023).  A six-month outcome evaluation of Media Aware Parent, a parent-based media mediation and sexual health communication program to promote adolescent sexual health. Journal of Health Communication, 27, 825-838. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2023.2165741

Scull, T.M., Dodson, C.V., Evans-Paulson, R., Reeder, L., Geller, J.G., Stump, K., & Kupersmidt, J.K. (2022).  Evaluating the mechanisms and long-term effects of a web-based comprehensive sexual health and media literacy education program for young adults attending community college: Study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial.  Trials, 23, 521. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06414-6

Scull, T.M., Dodson, C.V., Geller, J.G., Reeder, L.C., & Stump, K.N.  (2022). A media literacy education approach to high school sexual health education: Immediate effects of Media Aware on adolescents’ media, sexual health, and communication outcomes.  Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 51(4), 708-723. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-021-01567-0

Scull, T.M., Carl, A.E., Keefe, E.M., and Malik, C.V. (2022). Exploring parent-gender differences in parent and adolescent reports of the frequency, quality, and content of their sexual health communication.  Journal of Sex Research, 59(1), 122-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1936439

Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., Morrison, A., & Keefe, E. M. (2021). Promoting sexual health in high school: A feasibility study of a web-based media literacy education program. Journal of Health Communication, 26(3), 147-160.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.1893868

Parker, A., Scull, T.M., & Morrison, A. (2021).  DigiKnowIt News: Educating youth about pediatric clinical trials using an interactive, multimedia educational website.  Journal of Child Health Care, 26(1), 139-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935211003774

Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., & Keefe, E. M. (2020). Determining the feasibility of an online, media mediation program for parents to improve parent-child sexual health communication. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 12(1), 13-25. https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-2020-12-1-2

Elmore, K. C., Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2020). Rape myth acceptance reflects perceptions of media portrayals as similar to others, but not the self. Violence Against Women. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801220908335 

Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., Morrison, A., & Keefe, E. (2020). Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a web-based comprehensive sexual health and media literacy education program for high school students. Trials, 21(1), 50.  https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1549554 

Scull, T. M., Keefe, E. M., Kafka, J. M., Malik, C. V., Kupersmidt, J. B. (2020). The understudied half of undergraduates: Risky sexual behaviors among community college students. Journal of American College Health, 68(3), 302-312. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1549554 

Scull, T. M. & Malik, C. V., Keefe, E. M., & Schoemann, A. (2019). Evaluating the short-term impact of Media Aware Parent, a web-based program for parents with the goal of adolescent sexual health promotion.  Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1686-1706. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01077-0 

Scull, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., & Malik, C. V. (2018). Using media literacy education for adolescent sexual health promotion in middle school:  Randomized controlled trial of Media Aware. Journal of Health Communication:  International Perspectives, 23(12), 1051-1063. http://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2018.1548669 

Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2018). Understanding the unique role of media message processing in predicting adolescent sexual behavior intentions in the United States. Journal of Children and Media, 12(3), 258-274. http://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2017.1403937 

Scull, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., Malik, C. V., & Keefe, E. (2018). Examining the effectiveness of mHealth media literacy education for sexual health promotion in older adolescents attending community college.  Journal of American College Health, 66(3), 165-177. http://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2017.1393822 

Scull, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., & Weatherholt, T. N. (2017). The effectiveness of online, family-based media literacy education for substance abuse prevention in elementary school children:  Study of the Media Detective Family Program. Journal of Community Psychology, 45(6), 796-809. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.21893 

Elmore, K., Scull, T. M., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2017). Media as a “super peer”:  How adolescents interpret media messages predicts their perceptions of alcohol and tobacco use norms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46, 376-387.  http://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0609-9 

Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., Kupersmidt, J. B., & Moallem, M. (2016). Rethinking sexuality education:  A web-based solution. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2016 (pp. 2344-2348). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

Scull, T. M., Ortiz, R., Shafer, A., Brown, J., Kupersmidt, J .B., & Suellentrop, K. (2015). Investigating how MTV’s 16 & Pregnant may be used as media literacy education with high-risk adolescents. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 7(2), 1-11. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/jmle/vol7/iss2/1/ 

Parker, A. E., Kupersmidt, J. B., Mathis, E. T., Scull, T. M., Sims, C. (2014). The impact of mindfulness education on elementary school students:  Evaluation of the Master Mind program. Advances in School Mental Health, 7(3), 184-204. http://doi.org/10.1080/1754730X.2014.916497 

Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2014). A media literacy education approach to teaching adolescents sexual health education.  Journal of Media Literacy Education, 6(1), 1-14.

Scull, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., & Erausquin, J. T. (2013). The impact of media-related cognitions on children’s substance use outcomes in the context of parental and peer substance use. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43(5), 717-728. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-0012-8 

Kupersmidt, J. B., Scull, T. M., & Benson, J. W. (2012). Improving media message interpretation processing skills to promote healthy decision making about substance use:  The effects of the middle school Media Ready curriculum. Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives, 17(5), 546-563.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2011.635769

Scull, T. M. & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2011). An evaluation of a media literacy program training workshop for late elementary school teachers. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 2(3). 199-208.

Kupersmidt, J. B., Scull, T. M., & Austin, E. A. (2010). Media literacy education for elementary school substance use prevention:  Randomized efficacy study of Media Detective. Pediatrics, 126(3), 525-531.  https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0068  

Scull, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., Parker, A. E., Elmore, K. C., & Benson, J. W. (2010). Media-related cognitions and adolescent substance use in the context of parental and peer influences. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 981-998. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9455-3 

Barrett, T. M., Traupman, E., & Needham, A. (2008). Infants’ visual anticipation of object structure in grasp planning. Infant Behavior & Development, 31(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2007.05.004

Barrett, T. M. & Needham, A. (2008). Developmental differences in infants’ use of an object’s shape to grasp it securely. Developmental Psychobiology, 50, 97-106. https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.20280

Barrett, T. M., Davis, E. F., & Needham, A. (2007). Learning about tools in infancy. Developmental Psychology, 43(2), 352-368. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.43.2.352

Lewis, M. A., Kalinowski, C. T., Sterba, K. R., Barrett, T. M., & DeVellis, R. F. (2006). Interpersonal processes and vasculitis management. Arthritis Care & Research, 55(4), 670-675. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.22092

Needham, A., Barrett, T., & Peterman, K. (2002). A pick-me-up for infants’ exploratory skills: Early simulated experiences reaching for objects using ‘sticky mittens’ enhances young infants’ object exploration skills. Infant Behavior and Development, 25(3), 279-295. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-6383(02)00097-8

Book Chapters

Dodson, C.V. & Scull, T.M. (2025). Media literacy education for comprehensive sexual health promotion. In Hust, S.J., Willoughby, J.F., and Ortiz, R. (Eds.), Teens, Sex, and Media Effects: Understanding Media’s Influence on Adolescent Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Advocacy. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032648880

Aubrey, J.S., Maas, M., Choukas-Bradley, S., Coyne, S., Durham, M.G., & Scull, T.M., van Oosten, J.M.F., & Ward, L.M. (2024). Representations of gender and sexuality in youth media. In Christakis, D. & Hale, L. (Eds.), Handbook of Children, Adolescents, and Screens. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_45

Dodson, C.V., Scull, T.M., & Kupersmidt, J.B. (2024). Quantifying media literacy in the assessment of media literacy education for health promotion interventions. In Fastrez & Normand (Eds.), Media Literacy and Media Education Research Methods: A Handbook. Routledge.

Scull, T. M. & Malik, C. V. (June, 2019). Entertainment media and sexual socialization. In The International Encyclopedia of Media Literacy.  Editors:  Hobbs, R. and Mihailidis, P. Hoboken, NJ:  John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PRESENTATIONS

Invited Talks

Scull, T.M. (2025, June).  Community College Health Study: A national research study on promoting student sexual health.  Presentation at the Connect for Success Symposium; Institute for Women’s Policy Research: Washington, D.C.

Scull, T. M. (2019, December). Media Aware: An innovative, engaging, and effective approach to sexual health promotion for young adults. Presentation at the 5th annual Let’s End Campus Sexual Assault; Eastern Michigan University.

Scull, T. M. (2019, August). Media Detective: A creative approach to substance use prevention in elementary school. Presentation for the NC 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Institute, Guilford Tech Community College in Jamestown, NC.

Scull, T. M. (2017, June). The birds, the bees, and Kim Kardashian: Navigating sex and media with adolescents. Presentation for the NC School Health Training Center, Greenville, NC.

Scull, T. M. (2014). Challenges and strategies for evaluating prevention programming in rural areas. Presentation at the 16th Annual NIH SBIR/STTR Conference, Albuquerque, NM.

Scull, T. M. (2013). Media Ready Teacher Training Workshop. Presented to members of the Substance Free Youth (SFY) Community Coalition, Vancouver, WA.

Scull, T. M. (2012). Substance Abuse Prevention and Media Literacy Education. Workshop presented to the North Carolina Collaborative for Children, Youth, and Families, Chapel Hill, NC.

Scull, T. M. (2010). Media literacy for substance abuse prevention. Two-day training workshop presented to the North Carolina Summer School for Alcohol and Drug Studies, Wilmington, NC.

Scull, T. M. (2010). Media Ready Teacher Training Workshop. Presented to the Love, Faith, and Hope Coalition, Texarkana, AR.

Scull, T. M. (2009). Media Detective:  A new NIDA-funded media literacy substance abuse prevention program. Workshop presented at the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America’s Mid-Year Training Institute:  Louisville, KY.

Barrett, T. M. & Kupersmidt, J. B. (February, 2008). Media literacy, substance abuse prevention programs for middle school students. Workshop presented at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Safe, Orderly, & Caring Schools Conference, Greensboro, NC.

Kupersmidt, J. B. & Barrett, T. M. (November, 2007). Media literacy substance abuse prevention programs for elementary and middle school-aged youth. Talk presented to the Prevention Team of the North Carolina Department of Mental Health Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.

Wilson, J., Dawes, D., Markovits, L., Stern, R., Barrett, T. M., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (August 2006). Media literacy workshop: Media literacy and its role in preventing underage drinking. Presentation to the North Carolina Task Force, Raleigh, NC.

Posters and Conference Papers

Evans-Paulson, R., Scull, T. M., Stump, K. N., Dodson, C. V., & Armstrong, M. (2023, Nov.). Sexual Health Behaviors and Cognitions of Young U.S. Community College Students: Towards the Provision of Comprehensive and Inclusive Sexual Health Education and Care. Poster presented at Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Evans-Paulson, R., Dodson, C. V., & Scull, T. M. (2023, Nov.). Critical Media Attitudes as a Buffer Against the Harmful Effects of Pornography on Beliefs about Sexual and Dating Violence: A Cross-Sectional Study with Early High School Students. Poster presented at Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Conference, New Orleans, LA.  

Hurst, J. L., Scull, T., & Dodson, C. (2022, Nov.). Modeling Dyadic Effects in the Associations Between Importance and Comfort of Parent-Adolescent Sexual Health Communication: An APIM Approach. Brief report to be presented at the Scientific Study of Sexuality Conference, Vancouver, Canada.

Evans, R., Widman, L., Dodson, C., Scull, T., Javidi, H., Maheux, A. J., Nesi, J., & Choukas-Bradley, S. (2021, November). Promoting adolescent sexual health in the digital age through media literacy and sexual communication. Symposium presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Malik, C.V., Scull, T.M. (2021, Nov.). Using media literacy education for sexual and relationship health promotion in high school: Immediate and short-term effects of the Media Aware program. Session presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Annual Conference: San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Malik, C.V., Scull, T.M. (2019, Oct.). Media literacy education: An innovative, engaging, and effective approach to sexual health education. Session presented at the American School Health Association (ASHA) Conference: Cincinnati, OH.

Scull, T.M., Keefe, E., & Malik, C.V. (2017, May). The birds, the bees, and Kim Kardashian:  Engaging and equipping parents to navigate sex and media with adolescents. Workshop presented at the SHIFT NC Annual Conference: Greensboro, NC.

Scull, T.M., Kupersmidt, J.B., & Keefe, E. (2016, October). A web-based media literacy education sexual health program for older adolescents. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Child Development Special Topics Meeting:  Technology and Media in Children’s Development, Irvine, CA.

Scull, T.M., Malik, C.V., & Keefe, E. (2016, May). Meeting the needs of older adolescents:  Relationship and sexual health promotion using media literacy education. Workshop presented at the SHIFT NC Annual Conference: Durham, NC.

Scull, T.M., Malik, C.V., & Kupersmidt, J.B. (2016, May). The unique influence of media-related cognitions on predictors of adolescent sexual behaviors. Poster presented at the Society for Prevention Research, San Francisco, CA.

Scull, T.M. & Kupersmidt, J.B., & Weatherholt, T. (2016, May). Reducing health disparities in rural communities through an interactive, web-based family media literacy education program for substance abuse prevention. Poster presented at the Society for Prevention Research, San Francisco, CA.

Parker, A.E., Kupersmidt, J.B., & Scull, T. M. (2016, May). Integrating mindfulness education in into the elementary school classroom. Poster presented at the Society for Prevention Research, San Francisco, CA.

Scull, T.M., Malik, C.V., Kupersmidt, J.B., & Moallem, M. (2016, March). Rethinking sexuality education:  A web-based solution. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Savannah, GA.

Scull, T.M., Kupersmidt, J.B., & Malik, C.V. (2016, March). An evaluation of a comprehensive sexual health media literacy education program for middle school students. Paper presented at the Society for Research on Adolescents Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 

Elmore, K., Scull, T.M., & Kupersmidt, J.B. (2016, March). Media as ‘Super Peer’: How adolescents interpret media messages predicts their perception of alcohol and tobacco use norms. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Adolescents Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 

Scull, T.M., Malik, C.M., & Vuong, K. (2015, May). What’s media got to do with it? Addressing sexual health misinformation with media literacy education for adolescents. Workshop presented at the Annual Conference of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC.

Kupersmidt, J.B., Weatherholt, T., & Scull, T.M. (2014, September). Substance abuse prevention and media literacy education. Workshop presented at National Prevention Network Conference, Hartford, CT.

Kupersmidt, J.B. & Scull, T.M. (2014, April). An evaluation of Media Aware, a media literacy education substance abuse prevention program for high school students. Poster presented at The School District of Philadelphia’s Research, Policy, and Practice (R2P) Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Scull, T.M., Malik, C.V., & Kupersmidt, J.B. (2014, March). A media literacy education approach to teaching adolescents comprehensive sexual health education. Presented to the Society for Research on Adolescents Biennial Meeting, Austin, TX. 

Kupersmidt, J. B. & Scull, T. M. (2013). An evaluation of the effectiveness of media literacy education for substance abuse prevention in high school students. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the Society for Prevention Research, San Francisco, CA.

Parker, A. E., Kupersmidt, J. B., Mathis, E. T., Scull, T. M., & Sims, C. (April, 2012). Preliminary investigation of a mindfulness education, substance abuse prevention program for elementary school children. Poster presented at the International Symposia for Contemplative Studies, Denver, CO. 

Scull, T.M. & Kupersmidt, J.B. (2011). Children’s media-related and substance use cognitions in the context of parental and peer influences. Poster presented at the Conference of the Society for Prevention Research: Washington, DC.

Ortiz, R., Scull, T., Brown, J.D., Shafer, A., Kupersmidt, J., & Suellentrop, K. (May 2011). 16 and pregnant: The effects of watching and discussing a reality television drama about the consequences of teen pregnancy. Health Communication Division, International Communication Association Conference, Boston, MA.

Shafer, A., Ortiz, R.R., Scull, T.M., Kupersmidt, J.B., & Brown, J.D. (March 2011). At-risk adolescents’ media diets and outcome expectancies influence intentions to refrain from sex and to avoid pregnancy. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Child Development, Montreal, Canada.

Scull, T.M., Kupersmidt, J.B., & Voegler-Lee, M.E. (2009). Everyday positive learning activities and mothers’ emotional functioning in relation to preschool outcomes:  A preliminary analysis. Poster presented at the Biennial Conference of the Society of Research in Child Development: Denver, CO.

Scull, T. M., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2008). Media Detective:  A new evidence-based, elementary school, media literacy, substance abuse prevention program. Paper presented at the 21st Annual National Prevention Network Prevention Research Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Kupersmidt, J. B. & Scull, T. M. (2008). Media Ready:  A new evidence-based, middle school, media literacy, substance abuse prevention program. Paper presented at the 21st Annual National Prevention Network Prevention Research Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Barrett, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., Benson, J.W., & Elmore, K.C. (2008). Exploration of mediators and moderators of a media literacy, substance abuse prevention program for middle school students. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence Conference, Chicago, IL.

Barrett, T. M., Kupersmidt, J.B., Elmore, K.C., & Benson, J.W. (2008). Further exploration of media influence on adolescents’ moral beliefs and intentions surrounding substance use. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence Conference, Chicago, IL.

Parker, A., Barrett, T. M., Parker, J.G., Kupersmidt, J.B., Stelter, R.L., & Parker, K. (2008). Adolescent characteristics and parental protective behaviors surrounding alcohol use in high- and low-risk environments. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence Conference, Chicago, IL.

Barrett, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., Benson, J.W., & Elmore, K.C. (2007). Evaluation of the North Carolina middle school, media literacy, substance abuse prevention project. Poster presented at the first Research Summit of the Alliance for a Media Literate America, St. Louis, MO.

Kupersmidt, J. B., Barrett, T. M., Elmore, K.C., & Benson, J.W. (2007). Preliminary Findings from the Evaluation of the Elementary Media Literacy, Substance Abuse Prevention Project. Paper presented at the first Research Summit of the Alliance for a Media Literate America, St. Louis, MO.

SPONSORED PROJECTS

Federal Grants and Contracts

Current

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Examining reproductive and sexual health during the transition to adulthood. R56 HD113725 (PI: Tracy M. Scull) 9/01/24-8/31/26. The purpose of this project is to enhance retention of a previously recruited sample of young adults attending community college so that longitudinal research can be conducted with this sample later into young adulthood. 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Examination of parent-adolescent shared decision-making about participation in pediatric clinical trials. R21 HD113894-01A1 (Co-PI: Tracy M. Scull) 9/10/24-8/31/26. The purpose of this project is to examine parent-child communication behaviors that are a part of the decision-making process when faced with the opportunity to participate in pediatric clinical research as well as identify how these behaviors impact final decisions and satisfaction with the process.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. User-centered approach to the development of a parent toolkit to improve willingness to participate in pediatric clinical research. R21HD110035 (Co-PI: Tracy M. Scull) 6/1/23-5/31/26. The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate a web-based educational intervention for parents about pediatric clinical trials to support family communication and shared decision-making about research participation.

Completed

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Mechanisms of Media Literacy Education for Promoting Relationship Health in Older Adolescents. R01HD099134 (PI:  Tracy M. Scull; Co-I: Christina Malik; Co-I: Janis Kupersmidt) 4/6/2020-3/31/2025. The purpose of this project is to conduct a three-arm randomized control trial with older adolescents (i.e., ages 18-19) attending community college to isolate the effects of media literacy education on sexual and relationship health outcomes and to examine the trajectory of media literacy education effects on sexual and relationship health over time.

National Institute of Nursing Research. Web-based Resource for Children and Adolescents about Clinical Research. R44NR019565 (Co-PI: Alison E. Parker; Co-PI: Tracy M. Scull). 3/19/2020 – 7/31/2022. The purpose is to develop and evaluate a web-based resource to educate adolescents about participating in pediatric clinical trials. 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Web-Based High School Media Literacy for Healthy Relationships. R44HD088254 (PI: Tracy M. Scull; Co-I: Christina Malik) 9/26/2018-5/31/2021. The purpose of this Phase II grant is to complete the development of a self-paced, highly interactive web-based program designed to provide high school-aged youth with comprehensive sexual health education using a media literacy education framework. An RCT will examine the effects of the program on adolescents’ media- and health-related outcomes.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Parent-Teen Communication to Resist Unhealthy Media Messages. R44HD082968 (PI: Tracy M. Scull; Co-I: Christina Malik) 4/1/2017-7/31/2019. The purpose of this Phase II grant is to finish the development of and evaluate the efficacy of Media Aware Parent, a self-paced program designed to provide parents with media mediation skills, sexual health knowledge, and practice in parent-adolescent communication through a highly interactive web application. 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Web-based resource for youth about clinical research. HHSN268201400051C (Co-PI:  Tracy M. Scull; Co-PI:  Alison Parker) 12/01/2016–10/30/18. The major goals of this Phase II contract are to finish the development of and evaluate the efficacy of an interactive and developmentally appropriate web-based resource for children (aged 8-14) to learn about clinical research. 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Web-based High School Media Literacy for Healthy Relationships. R43HD088254 (PI: Tracy M. Scull; Co-I: Christina V. Malik) 9/26/2016-8/31/2018. The purpose of this Phase I grant was to develop and test the feasibility of a self-paced, highly interactive web-based program designed to provide high school-aged youth with comprehensive sexual health education using a media literacy education framework. 

National Foundation for Youth contract to Eckerd Kids – subcontract to innovation Research & Training (iRT). Evaluation of the Eckerd Fostering Education Initiative (FEI). (Co-PI:  Tracy M. Scull; Co-PI:  Janis Kupersmidt) 10/01/2016-1/31/2018. The purpose of this subcontract was to conduct a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the FEI, which is an initiative to provide educational support for youth in foster care.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Parent-Teen Communication to Resist Unhealthy Media Messages. R43HD082968 (PI: Tracy M. Scull; Co-I: Christina V. Malik) 9/23/2015-9/22/2016. The purpose of this Phase I grant was to develop and test the feasibility of Media Aware Parent, a self-paced program designed to provide parents with media mediation skills, sexual health knowledge, and practice in parent-adolescent communication through a highly interactive web application.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Media Literacy for Sexual Health in Older Adolescents. R21DA035665 (PI:  Tracy M. Scull) 9/15/2012-8/31/2016. The purpose of this grant is to develop and test the feasibility of a brief web-based media literacy education intervention to reduce risky sexual practices (e.g., intoxicated sex, unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, sexual violence) in community college students. 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Middle School Media Literacy for Reproductive Health – Phase II. R44HD061193 (PI:  Tracy M. Scull) 9/25/2012-7/31/2016. The purpose of this Phase II grant is to develop and evaluate a sexual health media literacy education program for middle school students. 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Web-based resource for youth about clinical research. HHSN268201400051C (Co-PI:  Tracy M. Scull; Co-PI:  Alison Parker) 9/01/2014–2/29/16. The major goals of this Phase I contract are to develop and determine the technical feasibility of an interactive and developmentally appropriate web-based resource for children (aged 8-14) to learn about clinical research. 

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Web-based media literacy parent training for substance use prevention in rural locations. HHSN271201200031C (PI:  Tracy M. Scull) 9/14/12-3/31/15. The purpose of this Phase II contract is to complete the development and evaluation of a web-based media literacy education program for substance abuse prevention for families with elementary school-aged children living in rural areas.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Service to Science Award. Building evaluation capacity for evidence-based interventions (Media Detective Parent Night). (PI:  Tracy M. Scull) 1/01/13-12/31/13. Awards are intended to help “grow the field” of evidence-based interventions by affording programs the opportunity to build their evaluation capacity and demonstrate stronger evidence of effectiveness.  The proposed evaluation enhancement is the completion of a pilot study to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of the program.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Substance use prevention media literacy high school curriculum. R44 DA018495-02A1 (PI:  Kupersmidt, Co-I:  Tracy M. Barrett/Scull) 4/01/08-12/31/13. The major goal of this Phase II project is to complete the creation and conduct a randomized trial of the effectiveness of substance abuse prevention, media literacy curriculum for use with high school students

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Web-based media literacy parent training for substance use prevention in rural locations. HHSN271201100011C (PI:  Tracy M. Scull) 7/28/11-1/28/12.

The purpose of this Phase I contract is to translate an in-person media literacy workshop for parents of elementary school students into a web-based program.  The goal is to increase the accessibility of substance abuse prevention programming for families living in rural areas.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Middle school media literacy for reproductive health. R43HD061193 (PI:  Tracy M. Scull) 9/25/09-4/24/11. The purpose of this Phase I grant is to create a middle school media literacy program for reproductive health focusing on romantic relationships, adolescent pregnancy prevention, and the prevention of STIs.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Evaluation of ‘16 and Pregnant’. (Co-PI:  Tracy M. Scull) 10/1/09-6/30/10. The purpose of this contract is to evaluate whether watching and discussing three episodes of the TV show ‘16 and Pregnant’ changes adolescents’ attitudes and cognitions surrounding teen pregnancy and pregnancy prevention. 

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Media literacy substance abuse prevention parent training. R43DA024477 (PI:  Tracy M. Barrett/Scull) 7/01/08-12/31/09. The major goal of this Phase I project is to create and evaluate the feasibility of a media literacy education, substance abuse prevention program for parents.

HONORS & AWARDS

Journal Reviewer

American Journal of Sexuality Education
Child Development
Journal of Adolescence
Journal of Adolescent Health
Journal of American College Health
Journal of Children and Media
Journal of Health Communication
Journal of Primary Prevention
Journal of Technology in Human Services
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
Pediatrics
Preventive Medicine

Grant Reviewer

2020-2025     NIH Psychosocial Development, Risk and Prevention Grant Study Section (PDRP) – Standing Member 

2021           NIH Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2021/05 ZHD1 DSR-N (02)

2020          NIH Psychosocial Development, Risk and Prevention Grant Study Section (PDRP)

2017           NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Study Section 

                   (HIV/AIDS Innovative Research Applications ZRG1 AARR-G 10)

2016           NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Study Section 

                    (HIV/AIDS Innovative Research Applications ZRG1 AARR-G 10)

2015           NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Study Section 

                    (Behavioral and Social Consequences of HIV/AIDS SRG ZRG1 BSCH)

2011           NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Study Section 

                   (Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes ZRG1 BBBP-V 10)