Areas of Research
Faculty and students in FCS conduct interdisciplinary research to advance knowledge regarding human development and family well-being across the lifespan and within community and societal contexts. Research activities and expertise within FCS fall into 5 general areas: human development, family economics, family relationships, social and health inequalities, and social policy.
Faculty in this area focuses on the economic decisions and behaviors of households or families by examining how families allocate resources and make rational choices under their budgets to meet the needs and preferences of their members.
Faculty in this area examine family relationships and dynamics, such as romantic partner relationships and parent-child relationships, and how they contribute to health and well-being across the lifespan.
Faculty in this area conduct innovative and interdisciplinary research on child, adolescent, and adult development to shed light on critical contemporary challenges affecting optimal development and to provide research-based solutions that can improve the health and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities.
Faculty in this area examine factors at the individual, family, community, and institutional levels that contribute to the creation, maintenance, and mitigation of social inequalities with a particular focus on health disparities.
Faculty in this area study a variety of social policies such as financial well-being and the role of economic policy, family policy, and social policy influences on health behaviors.