Kristen M. Kemple, Ph.D.
Professor, Early Childhood Studies
College of Education, University of Florida
Kristen Kemple, Ph.D., is a professor of early childhood studies at the University of Florida’s School of Special Education, School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies and an affiliate of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. Dr. Kemple is a leading expert on social and emotional competence in early childhood, teacher education, and play. Her research also focuses on the role of the arts in developing creativity during early childhood. She has been a member of the Episcopal Children’s Services Board of Directors since September of 2016.
A member of the UF faculty since 1992, Dr. Kemple is highly regarded for her research and writing on early childhood education and development. She has authored two books and five book chapters on the topic, and her research has been published in professional journals including Journal of Research in Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education Journal, Creativity Research Journal and the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education.
Dr. Kemple serves on the Consulting Editors Board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and as an ad-hoc reviewer for numerous professional journals. Prior to joining UF, she was an assistant professor of child development and family studies at Purdue University. She earned her Ph.D. in Child Development and Family Relationships from The University of Texas at Austin.