Kari Adamsons is an associate professor of human development and family sciences and co-author of the fifth edition of Family Theories: An Introduction, a foundational textbook for family studies and family sociology that presents a variety of theoretical frameworks through which to view families, based on the latest theories.

Adamsons says she is a true data nerd who found her calling in research, but also loves teaching about her research in areas that include parenting – particularly fathering – and its impacts on child development. She is also involved in helping create and strengthen initiatives to help parents, such as the Dad and Me obesity-prevention program and the ACT Raising Safe Kids programs, which helps parents protect their kids from the impact of violence on their development. She also works with state agencies to provide various forms of training, such as helping newly divorced couples share parenting duties.

Listen to UConn360’s Julie Bartucca speaking with Adamsons about her work and how the definition of family has evolved:

For full episodes of the UConn 360 podcast, visit uconn.edu/uconn360-podcast.