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HDFS Grad Students Attend SRA Summer School in Greece!

​Two HDFS grad students, Meg Bishop and Shanting Chen, traveled overseas to attend SRA Summer School in Kalamata, Greece. Read about their experience below!  Interdisciplinary, global perspectives on adolescence: Reflections from the 2019 EADP/EARA/SRA Summer School in Kalamata, GreeceMeg Bishop, M.A.University of Texas at Austin...

Launch of the Texas Aging and Longevity Center

​The University of Texas launched its Texas Aging and Longevity Center led by co-directors Dr. Karen Fingerman, human development and family sciences, and Dr. Debra Umberson, PRC director. The mission of the Texas Aging & Longevity Center is to enhance the longevity and well-being of the aging population via research, teaching, a...

Congratulations Dr. Liz Gershoff

Congratulations to Dr. Liz Gershoff, winner of the 2019 Nicholas Hobbs Award, given by the American Psychological Association to a psychologist who exemplifies "ideals and devotion to child advocacy/policy." Dr. Gershoff was also elected the President of the Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice.Dr. Gershoff is an internationally renowne...
Gershoff Named President of Psychology Society, Earns National Award

Gershoff Named President of Psychology Society, Earns National Award

Elizabeth Gershoff, professor of human development and family sciences in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Texas at Austin, has been named the winner of a national award recognizing the outstanding work of psychologists in the field of child advocacy and policy.

A long-time researcher of the impact of spanking and corporal punishment on children, Gershoff received the 2019 Nicholas Hobbs Award from the American Psychological Association's Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice. The award, given at the APA's conference in Chicago this month, recognizes psychologists who are dedicated to advocacy and policy that affect the lives of children.

Political Controversies about Marginalized Groups Increase Bullying in Youths

Political Controversies about Marginalized Groups Increase Bullying in Youths

Scientists have uncovered new evidence that heated political discourse over proposed laws involving marginalized groups, such as debates about the rights of LGBT people, can contribute to an increase in bullying linked to students' identity in schools. It is the largest study to date to examine the link.

In a new study in the journal Pediatrics, scientists at The University of Texas at Austin, Columbia University and Texas State University found that in the run-up to a statewide voter referendum to ban gay marriage in California, young people reported significantly more homophobic bullying. In fact, homophobic bullying peaked that school year and declined after the public debate about the initiative in question, Proposition 8, subsided.