The Center for Families
The Center for Families harnesses the power of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to improve our quality of life. We increase and enhance collaboration among academic disciplines, professionals, policymakers, corporations, and community organizations to build a better world for all families.
How we bring about change focused on families . . .

Opportunity
Promote the study of families from a multidisciplinary, life course perspective while also increasing the opportunity for new knowledge.

Recognition
Identify high-quality family research from around the world, used to inform decisions that impact families.

Collaboration
Foster collaboration among academics, policymakers, and practitioners to identify where research about families is needed.
LATEST RESEARCH AND NEWS
- CFF Distinguished Family Scholar, Kossek receives prestigious fellowshipEllen Ernst Kossek has been named to the 2025-26 fellows class for the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford University
- Expanding the CFF Community in CFF30!Throughout the 30th anniversary year, the Center for Families has been working with our faculty partners and council members to explore ideas and partnerships that will last beyond a celebration and continue to strengthen research about families throughout Purdue University.
- Small Business Disaster Recovery in the United StatesMaria Marshall – Natural disasters pose significant challenges to small businesses, as they are more vulnerable to shocks. Their recovery is crucial to the resilience of communities. This literature review explores the topic of US small business disaster recovery by examining research in economics, management, and disaster studies.
Families, in all their diverse forms, are the foundation of society. No culture has been able to provide anything better than the family for producing strong individuals for the journey of life.
—Dr. Donald Felker, Dean of School of Consumer and Family Science, 1987-1992
150+ Faculty Members
have engaged in projects that have added to the creation and dissemination of new knowledge
Who are our Faculty Partners?$700 Thousand+
of funding provided directly to support over 150 students and faculty in the early phases of their research
Read about funded research30 Years
of harnessing the power of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to improve our quality of life.
Learn about Center milestonesYOUR SUPPORT MAKES AN IMPACT
Every gift, no matter how large or small, makes it possible for the center to be involved in innovative initiatives that impact individuals and families.
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