Kevin Swartout

Dr. Kevin Swartout is a distinguished social psychologist and researcher, known for his innovative work on violence prevention, aggression, and substance use, particularly within college and young adult populations. He currently serves in several roles, including as CEO of Rankin Climate, Senior Executive Vice President of Research at RW Jones Agency, and Professor of Psychology and Public Health at Georgia State University. His multidisciplinary career bridges academia, applied research, and organizational leadership, positioning him as a key voice in both scientific and public conversations around behavioral health and violence. Dr. Swartout received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he also earned his Master's degree. His academic work is characterized by methodological sophistication and a deep commitment to uncovering the complex mechanisms behind aggressive and violent behavior. He has received national recognition for advancing person-centered approaches to psychological research, applying techniques like cluster analysis, latent class analysis, and growth mixture modeling to longitudinal datasets. These techniques have allowed him to identify meaningful subgroups of perpetrators and victims, providing a nuanced understanding of violence and its progression over time. One of the primary focuses of his research is the social and structural context of violence. Dr. Swartout explores how peer networks and social influences shape aggressive attitudes and behaviors, especially in cases of sexual violence. His work seeks to integrate psychological theories with sociological frameworks, resulting in a more holistic understanding of how and why individuals engage in harmful behaviors. This emphasis on social influence has also led him to design and launch a large-scale longitudinal social network study among college students to better understand how sexual violence, substance use, and peer dynamics co-evolve. Additionally, Dr. Swartout has delved into the relationship between substance use and aggression, employing multilevel modeling and structural equation modeling to analyze how alcohol and drug use predict patterns of physical and sexual aggression. His findings have important implications for campus-based prevention programs and public health interventions. Throughout his academic and professional journey, Dr. Swartout has remained a strong advocate for the use of advanced statistical methods to drive policy and practice. His work has influenced prevention strategies across universities and public health systems, earning him roles as a consultant, collaborator, and national thought leader. He has served as Co-Director of Graduate Studies in Psychology at Georgia State and holds an affiliate faculty appointment at the University of Texas at Austin. With a dual career in applied research and academic instruction, Dr. Swartout is widely respected for his analytical rigor, dedication to student mentorship, and contributions to the field of psychology and public health.