Dr. Emily Spence, PhD, MSW, CPH, is Associate Dean for Community Partnerships and Practice at the University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Public Health.  Prior to joining the UNT Health Science Center, she was serving as Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Research at the University of Texas Arlington School of Social Work.

She has served as lead evaluator or researcher for large community initiatives addressing interpersonal violence, healthy lifestyles, poverty, mental health, health inequities, financial stability, homelessness and mentoring. She has published books, journal articles and community manuscripts in the areas of evaluation, community assets and needs, intervention development, technology use in human services, health equity, and interpersonal violence. She works alongside community partners to address health inequities and to improve community health from the inside out.