The Center for Research on Families recognizes how challenging the past year has been for families, students, faculty, and researchers alike. Our lives have been dramatically affected by the pandemic that has hit our global community. With so many unknowns and the uncertainty this brings, we remain focused on what we do know. We know we need good science to address Covid-19; and we know we need to support families, now more than ever. We need to use our combined expertise, our creativity, and resilience to address this challenge. Our hope is that we emerge from this unprecedented moment in time stronger, with new ways of thinking and collaborating that will advance the health and well-being of all families. 

During the pandemic, CRF continues to provide all our core services including public lectures hosted through our Tay Gavin Erickson Lecture Series, a key component of the Family Research Scholars Program, graduate student seminars and programming, methodology consultation, and facilitating racial justice workshops among many other services. Below are a few highlights of the important Covid-19 related work being done by our current and past researchers from various departments across campus.

• Dr. Linda Tropp (FRS 2009-10), professor of Psychology and Brain Sciences: The Impacts of COVID-19 on Psychology Education & Training: Concerns, Disparities, and Recommendations​

• Dr. Maureen Perry-Jenkins, CRF faculty director and associate dean graduate, post-doctoral and faculty development for the College of Natural Sciences: Your husband thinks he’s doing equal housework. You probably disagree

• Devon Greyson (FRS 2019-20), professor of communications: Discussion on Viewpoints About Vaccines Amid Anticipated Covid-19 Vaccine, COVID vaccine rollout needs trust, not mandates

• Lee Badgett  (FRS 2004-05), professor of economics:  Women are reconsidering having kids due to the coronavirus

• Brenda Bushouse (FRS 2006-07), associate professor of political science and public policy received funding for grant to study the effects of COVID-19 relief programs on nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in New York City

• Elizabeth L. Krause (FRS 2011-12), professor of anthropology Viral Encounters: Lessons on COVID, Coping and Community from Chinese Migrants in Italy

• Bruna Martins-Klein (FRS 2020-21), assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences: Mental health of older adults being challenged in 2020

• Nancy Folbre (FRS 2007-08) professor of economics, emeritus: Women suffer higher unemployment during pandemic, thanks in part to systemic inequality and stereotypes

• Paula Pietromonaco (FRS 2003-04 & 2015-16) professor of psychological and brain sciences: Pandemic Drives Couples to Divorce or to Seek Help

• Sofiya Alhassan (FRS 2016-2017) associate professor of kinesiology: How to Keep Kids Active as the Weather Cools and the Pandemic Rolls

• Lorraine Cordeiro (FRS 2010-11), assistant professor of nutrition & Ning  Zhang (FRS 2017-2018) assistant professor of public health: Implications of the Reverse Associations between Obesity Prevalence and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Cases and Related Deaths in the United States