FSU Social Work Welcomes New Faculty Member JaNiene Peoples
“My passion for pursuing a career in social work stems from the field’s unique integration of human rights and justice into its values and multi-level frameworks,” expressed Dr. JaNiene Peoples. “Social work, especially within research, offers the opportunity to build collaborative, transformative partnerships that drive change.”
Originally from LaVergne, Tennessee, Dr. Peoples recently completed her doctoral degree at the Brown School at the Washington University in St. Louis before joining the FSU College of Social Work faculty as a tenure-track faculty member in the fall of 2025.
Her primary research interests focus on understanding the risk and protective factors that influence mental health, substance use and their co-occurrence among emerging adults and college students, particularly among vulnerable populations. “Many vulnerable communities continue to be disproportionately affected by substance misuse, substance use disorders [SUDs] and their related consequences,” Dr. Peoples stressed. “I am particularly interested in addressing this ongoing challenge by contributing to cutting-edge research that informs accessible and evidence-based interventions.”
She added: “My research is driven by a commitment to building evidence that informs responsive and both culturally and contextually relevant mental health and substance use interventions for these populations.”
Dr. Peoples’ research is grounded in biopsychosocial frameworks and highlights the importance of addressing structural and psychosocial determinants of health in both research and practice. Her research also utilizes innovative digital health tools and advanced methodologies, including the ecological momentary assessment.
These approaches enable Dr. Peoples to collect real-time data on individuals’ experiences, emotions and behaviors within their natural environments in order to provide a more nuanced understanding of how risk and protective factors develop and interact throughout daily life.
She is also eager to connect with social work students at FSU through teaching with her teaching approach guided by four key elements: pedagogical best practices, strong content knowledge, cultural awareness and self-awareness. Dr. Peoples’ teaching approach incorporates research, service, and direct practice, emphasizing a community-based participatory approach and an integration of a variety of perspectives on social work practice.
“Students appreciate seeing the connection between course material and current, real-time issues,” she emphasized. “So, I prioritize opportunities for students to gain real-world exposure to key social work topics, whether through case examples, guest speakers, or field opportunities that tie directly to the concepts we discuss in class.”
“I look forward to playing a role in educating and mentoring the next generation of social workers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to provide targeted, culturally responsive support to individuals impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, and their broader social determinants,” she voiced. “The college’s energizing learning environment, commitment to translational research, and emphasis on evidence-based practice will allow me to join other scholars in turning work into real-world solutions, driving meaningful change.”