Faculty bio

Ariel Williamson is an academic expert in pediatric sleep problems (e.g. trouble falling and/or staying asleep, sleep disordered breathing), sleep health inequities, and behavioral interventions to treat sleep problems and promote sleep health. She conducts community-engaged research, which involves forming partnerships with families, primary care clinicians, and community organizations to adapt and implement behavioral sleep interventions in real-world settings. This work focuses on ensuring evidence-based interventions are delivered flexibly, effectively and with cultural humility. Her work also examines how child, family, healthcare system, school, and neighborhood factors contribute to sleep problems and sleep health inequities to help inform sleep interventions. She is a Sleep Expert for the Pediatric Sleep Council, which provides free, evidence-based information for families and clinicians about early childhood sleep (ages 0-3 years). She also serves on the board of the Philadelphia-area Beds for Kids program, which provides beds, bedding, and sleep health education to families living at or below the federal poverty line and do not have individual child beds. She is also a steering committee member for the recently formed Pacific Northwest Sleep and Circadian Network, which aims to connect sleep researchers and clinicians in the Pacific Northwest region.

Recent Media:
Addressing health equity in sleep is a work in progress  (American Journal of Managed Care, June 8, 2023)
Dr. Ariel Williamson: Family environment is crucial when tailoring sleep interventions (American Journal of Managed Care June 6, 2023)
Clinicians often fail to document sleep problems (American Academy of Pediatric News, May 1, 2023)
How just 39 minutes of sleep can make or break your child’s health, happiness and school day (CNN, March 16, 2023)