Dr. Robert J. Ackerman, Ph. D. is Professor Emeritus from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the previous Director of the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Research and Training Institute. He is co-founder of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. He is the previous Editor of Counselor: The Magazine for Addiction and Behavioral Health Professionals and currently is the Chair of the Advisory Board.

As an author he has published numerous articles and research findings and is best known for writing the first book in the United States on children of alcoholics. Twelve books later, many television appearances, and countless speaking engagements he has become internationally known for his work with families and children of all ages. His books have been translated into thirteen languages.

He has served on many advisory boards and has worked with the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, and the U.S. Department of Education. He served on the White House Task Force on Resiliency and At-Risk-Youth.

He is the recipient of many awards including the Distinguished Alumni Awards from Western Michigan University, the University of Northern Colorado, and Louisiana State University, the 2006 Special Recognition Award from the U.S. Journal of Alcohol & Drug Dependence, the 2008 Father Martin Appreciation Award and the 2014 Professor of the Year from the University of South Carolina, Beaufort. He is a veteran of numerous TV appearances and his work has been featured on CNN Headline News, the New York Times, the Today Show, USA Today newspaper, Newsweek Magazine, Oprah, and other social media.