This academic year the Center for Research on Families (CRF) hosted six Tay Gavin Erickson Lectures. This renowned lecture series is part of CRF’s Family Research Scholars (FRS) program where six UMass Amherst Faculty members are selected to participate in a year-long intensive interdisciplinary and mutual mentoring seminar. As part of the program, each scholar invites an expert in their field to come to UMass Amherst to consult on a large grant proposal and provide a Tay Gavin Erickson Lecture. The lecture series began in 1999 in memory of Tay Gavin Erickson, the daughter of Joseph Gavin Jr. and Dot Gavin, who established an endowment in her name.
This year's Tay Gavin Erickson Lectures included:
Dr. Abraham Brody: “Advancing Evidence-Based Palliative Care for Persons Living with Dementia and their Caregivers from Health Systems Implementation to Empowering Caregivers Directly”
Dr. Brody highlighted strategies to improve dementia care through both systemic interventions and direct caregiver support. The talk focused on translating research into real-world impact. Dr. Brody was invited by Dr. Jooyun Chung, Associate Professor of Nursing.
Dr. Veronica Barcelona: “Race, Racism, and Perinatal Health Inequities”Dr. Barcelona’s lecture was held in collaboration with the Department of Nurititions annual Virginia A. Beal dinner. She touched on her groundbreaking research in women of color outcomes in childbirth and how to improve it in the future. Dr. Barcelona was invited by Dr. Lucinda Canty, Associate professor of Nursing.
Dr. Megan Mueller: “The Science of the Human - Animal Bond and Adolescent Well-Being”
Dr. Mueller discussed how animal companions can help us understand what goes right in the lives of young people. And how these bonds can promote the well-being of many adolescents. Dr. Mueller was invited by Dr. Katie Potter, Associate Professor of Kinesiology.
Dr. Christina Economos: “Catalyzing Communities to Promote Child Health and Prevent Obesity: A Systems Approach”
Dr. Economos, Dean of the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition and an expert in nutrition, spoke about her extensive research and work with children in underserved communities nationwide and how the next generation of scholars can continue to improve the health of the children of the United States. Dr. Economos was invited by Dr. John Sirard, Associate professor of Kinesiology.
Dr. Peter Turchin: “Cliodynamics of End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites and the Path of Political Disintegration”
During his lecture on the UMass Amherst campus Dr. Turchin examined the growing social and political instability across the globe and how this instability is pushing many societies to revolution. Dr. Turchin was invited by Dr. Kevin Young, Professor of Economics.
Dr. Ellen Peters: “The Power of Numeric Evidence in Science Communication”
Dr. Peters spoke on how presenting numbers in science communication is challenging due to public difficulties with numeracy and expert hesitations, even though numbers can improve understanding and trust. To make them effective, it's important to use strategies that enhance how people comprehend and use numerical information. Dr. Peters was invited by Dr. Ezra Markowitz, Professor of Environmental Conservation.
The CRF team would like to extend their congratulations to all of the members of the 2024-2025 Family Research Scholars group. CRF would also like to thank all of the visiting scholars for their participation and expertise.