Justine J. Reel
Professor
Dr. Justine Reel, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Professor in Exercise Science, earned her Bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University in Sociology and Coaching and graduate degrees including a Master of Science in Exercise Science, a Master of Science in Counselor Education, and a doctoral degree in Exercise Science (Psychosocial aspects of sport) from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She served on the faculty of West Chester University, Temple University, and University of Utah prior to coming to UNCW to serve in the Inaugural role of Associate Dean for Research and Innovation within the College of Health and Human Services. She served in an interim capacity as the Director of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance, Dean of CHHS, and Associate Provost for Research and Innovation. Presently, Dr. Reel serves as Professor in Exercise Science program and Editor of the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. She has published over 100 journal articles and 10 books covering a broad range of topics in sport and exercise psychology.
Education
Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science (Sport and Exercise Psychology), University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S. in Counselor Education (Community Counseling), University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science (Sport and Exercise Psychology), University of North Carolina at Greensboro
B.A. in Sociology and Coaching, North Carolina State University
Research Interests
Dr. Reel’s research focuses on weight pressures and disordered eating in sport, intuitive exercise, and promoting positive body image and health. Her weight pressures in sport scale has been translated into numerous languages and screens athletes around the world for body image concerns. She developed an intuitive exercise scale for clinical and community populations to assess one's relationship with physical activity. Her body of work includes more than 100 peer reviewed journal publications and over 100 national and international presentations. Dr. Reel is also the author of ten books, with a 11th in progress, and the contributor of 25 book chapters. As a Lead Principal Investigator (PI), she has secured more than $2.3 million in extramurally sponsored funding. She has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology since 2018.
Honors & Awards
• 2023 Most Popular Article Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
• Research Administration Outstanding Campus Partner, UNCW
• 2022 Most Popular Article Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
• 2020 Diane Gill Paper of the Year, Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
• Distinguished Researcher Award, CHHS, UNCW
• Most Journal Article Publications (2020), UNCW
• Cape Fear Crew Award, Finalist, Career Advancement for Women category
• WILMA Women to Watch Winner, Education Category
• Book Choice Recognition: Editors’ Top 75 Community College Resources, Choice Review: American Library Association
• Outstanding Public Service Professor of the Year, University of Utah
• Beacon of Excellence Award Winner, University of Utah
• Distinguished Mentor Award, College of Health, University of Utah
• Fellow, Research Consortium, AAHPERD