Bradford Wiles

Associate Professor;
Extension Specialist

Contact Information

319 Justin Hall
(785) 532-1939
bwiles@k-state.edu

Education

Ph.D. in Human Development, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA (2013)
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA (2013)
M.S. in Human Development, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA (2008)
B.S. in Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (1997)

Credentials or Certifications

Master Trainer – Better Brains for Babies

Areas of Specialization

Health, Risk, and Resilience in Rural Families
Parent-Child Interaction
Access to Quality, Affordable Child Care
Family Smart Phone and Tablet Screen Time
Brain Development in Early Childhood
Multilevel Statistical Modeling (e.g. SEM / HLM)

Research, Scholarship, and Creative Endeavors

Dr. Wiles’ program of research focuses on building resilience and health in vulnerable families. Specifically, he uses a collaborative model of applied developmental research and outreach, focusing his efforts on providing rural, low-income, ethnically and racially diverse families with young children with the knowledge, skills, and decision-making strategies to make a difference in their lives. His vision is to reach all families with young children and assist them in applying research-based practices in the domains of, early childhood brain development, emergent literacy, physical health and activity, and smart phone and tablet screen time. In addition, his efforts also focus on providing vulnerable families to access to healthcare and quality, affordable child care.

Professional Biography

Originally from Noblesville, Indiana, Dr. Wiles grew up on the small farm where his parents still live, and was a ten-year 4-H member. After graduating from Noblesville High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington in 1997. After working in Silicon Valley developing emerging technologies at a genomics/biotechnology company, he returned to school and earned his master's degree in Human Development from Virginia Tech in 2008. During his doctoral training, he also earned a graduate certificate in Gerontology under the guidance of Associate Dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor Dr. Rosemary Blieszner, awarded in 2013. Dr. Wiles enjoys mentoring students as they become the next generation of scholars and practitioners, as well as collaborating with colleagues from other disciplines to create multi- and transdisciplinary research teams to effectively solve the complex and transdisciplinary challenges families face. During his time at Kansas State, Dr. Wiles has earned a Big 12 Fellowship, been selected for the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) program, and the Coffman Leadership Institute. However, he is most proud of his collaborations with researchers and practitioners across the spectrum of scholarship.

Personal Information

Bradford enjoys all manner of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, flying kites, and playing any sport he can. If he can play with his daughter, Hannah Rose, and his wife, Danielle Skurka, then life is even more grand. In addition to his love of the outdoors, Bradford loves all things involving music. As a multi-instrumentalist, he loves playing just about any kind of music. He currently is proficient in guitar (acoustic, electric, and resonator), bass, drums, harmonica, ukulele, and all sorts of percussion instruments. Bradford also has a small recording studio where he serves as recording engineer, mixer, masterer, repair and modification tech, and even the talent. Few things beyond his family make him as happy as he is when playing, recording, or listening to music.