• Family Science 5
• Policy Corner
• TCRM Proposals Due April 27
• Student Access Grants
• Social Science Day Recap
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• Webinar: Design Better Surveys
• New Research From NCFR Journals
• FR Call for Papers: Ukrainian Families
• By April 10: Apply for FR Fellowship
• >> Job Opportunities <<
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In the News
Family Science 5: Research & Researchers in the Media
Catch up on Family Science research and researchers featured in the media last month. Among March mentions:
The New York Times interviewed NCFR member Wendy D. Manning, Ph.D., for a piece about trends in delaying or eschewing marriage in the U.S.
The Conversation featured research from NCFR's Journal of Marriage and Family in a piece examining what "looksmaxxing" says about modern masculinity.
An Associated Press article on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie included mention of NCFR Fellow Pauline Boss, Ph.D., and information on Dr. Boss's theory of ambiguous loss.
READ ALL ARTICLES
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HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH
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NCFR Webinars
Better Surveys, Better Data: A Practical Guide for Researchers
April 29, 2026 / Noon–1 p.m. CT
Presented by: Ting Yan, Ph.D., David Dutwin, Ph.D.
Design surveys that deliver real insights: craft unbiased questions, select representative samples, and boost participation across diverse family groups. Join NCFR's webinar on April 29 to get a clear roadmap for producing trustworthy data to shape family research and policy.
This webinar will walk through the survey design process with clear, real-world examples and practical guidance. Ideal for both beginners and those interested in a refresher, you’ll gain actionable strategies to strengthen your methods, improve data quality, and elevate the quality and impact of your research.
Approved for 1.0 hour of CFLE continuing education
REGISTER TO ATTEND
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2026 NCFR Annual Conference | Minneapolis | Nov. 18-21
TCRM Workshop Accepting Proposals
Proposals Due April 27, 2026
Thank you to everyone who submitted proposals for the NCFR conference!
Proposals will be accepted through April 27 for the 2026 Theory Construction and Research Methodology (TCRM) Workshop, the preconference event held on site at the 2026 NCFR Annual Conference.
Each year at TCRM, working papers on family theory and research methodology are reviewed, discussed, and strengthened in an interactive environment. TCRM's unique purpose and format are designed to promote discussion and provide a forum for feedback that moves working papers and ideas forward.
LEARN MORE & SUBMIT
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POLICY
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NCFR Policy Corner
This Week's Policy Highlights
April 9, 2026 | Two-Minute Read
SCOTUS Rules on Conversion Therapy Ban – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Chiles v. Salazar that Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors likely violates First Amendment free speech rights. The March 31 decision jeopardizes similar bans in more than 20 states, despite medical warnings that such practices significantly increase rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety among LGBTQ+ youth.
FY27 Budget Proposal Released – Released April 3, the White House FY27 Budget Proposal outlines a 10% discretionary cut to non-defense funding. The plan targets critical programs like affordable housing and energy assistance and slashes budgets for agencies and departments such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Labor.
SEE FULL HIGHLIGHTS
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NCFR Members Participate in COSSA’s 2026 Social Science Advocacy Day
On March 24, 11 NCFR members participated in the Consortium of Social Science Associations' (COSSA) annual Social Science Advocacy Day, where social scientists meet with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill to advocate for federal support and highlight the importance of social science funding and evidence-based decision-making.
NCFR members joined dozens of other social scientists participating in COSSA's day of advocacy.
READ MORE
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NCFR MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES
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NCFR Grants
Your Gift, Their Family Science Future
Over the past six years, 300 students have received the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Student Access Grant, opening doors to career-changing opportunities within Family Science.
This April, NCFR is working to raise $10,000 to support Students of Color in accessing professional development and advancement in the discipline.
With your help, the students will receive:
Please consider donating. Every contribution, big or small, helps us create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Just $5 from each NCFR member would reach our goal quickly. Together, we can empower the next generation of diverse Family Scientists.
INVEST IN STUDENTS OF COLOR
If you are not able to donate at this time, you can still make a meaningful impact. Joining or renewing your NCFR membership directly supports the student resources and professional development opportunities NCFR provides. Every member strengthens our ability to foster the next generation of Family Science professionals.
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NCFR Awards and Recognition
Nominate Yourself for an NCFR Award
Deadline May 22 for most awards
Honor the outstanding accomplishments of your colleagues, students, mentors, or yourself — nominate or apply for one of the many NCFR awards available this year.
Awards are offered that recognize achievement in research, teaching, mentorship, leadership, and more.
The application deadline for most awards is May 22, 2026.
NOMINATE OR APPLY |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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CFLE Conversation
Increasing Your Visibility as a Certified Family Life Educator
May 6, 2026 / Noon–1 p.m. CT / Free for CFLEs
Facilitator: Jody Johnston Pawel, LSW, CFLE, CTSS, CFLC-E
Are you a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) trying to advertise yourself and your services? Join this conversation to engage in active discussion with other CFLEs about ideas, challenges, and tips for increasing your visibility as a CFLE. Come prepared to share and chat with others. The facilitator will share their experiences and guide the conversation.
Ms. Johnston Pawel is an award-winning author of over 100 research-based parenting curricula, programs, and resources. She has trained over 100,000 parents and professionals and has certified over 100 Parent’s Toolshop® trainers and coaches worldwide. She serves as a parenting expert to the media, with 300+ media appearances in the first year of the launch of her award-winning book The Parent’s Toolshop®, and was the Assistant Producer and On-air Parenting Expert of the Emmy-nominated Ident-a-Kid television series.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT
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A New Era in Parenting Education: Engaging Parents Where They Are
National Parenting Education Network (NPEN) Virtual Conference
April 17, 2026 / 11 a.m.–6:30 p.m. ET
As NPEN celebrates 30 years of advancing science-based parenting education, this virtual conference explores innovative, practical ways parenting educators can support parents where they live, learn, work, and gather. Attendees will discover new approaches, tools, and strategies to use in their parenting education programming to keep parenting education relevant, accessible, and impactful in today’s evolving world.
Approved for 7.0 hours of CFLE continuing education
REGISTER HERE
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NCFR JOURNALS
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NCFR Journals
Access the Latest NCFR Journal Research
Read 11 Articles Published March 29—April 4
Catch up on the latest research from NCFR's scholarly journals — Journal of Marriage and Family (JMF), Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science (FR), and Journal of Family Theory & Review (JFTR) — including these articles authored by NCFR members:
JFTR: Balancing and Exploring the Personal, Professional, and Political: Finding Space and Place in the Academy Through Reflexive and Intersecting Masculinities (open access) — Allen B. Mallory
FR: COVID-19 and the Extended Family: Insights From Emerging Adult Experiences — Heather M. Hessel, Emma Desens
FR: Examining the Impact of Divorce Law Reform on Divorce Processes and Parenting Arrangements in Illinois — So Young Park, Jennifer L. Hardesty*, Brian G. Ogolsky
JMF: Post-Divorce LGBTQ-Parent Families: Navigating Loyalty Conflicts and Stepfamily Closeting (open access) — Caroline Sanner, Abbie E. Goldberg*, Katherine R. Allen*
SEE ALL NEW NCFR RESEARCH
If you are an NCFR member subscribed to an NCFR journal, you can access articles by logging into your NCFR account. You can also sign up for email alerts.
*Denotes NCFR Fellow
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NCFR Journals
April 10 Deadline! Apply for FR Editorial Fellowships
Fellowships Support Early-Career Scholars
Early-career scholars: Apply by April 10 for an Editorial Fellowship with NCFR’s Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science.
Fellows will develop experience with and skills in manuscript review, editorial processes, and evaluation of translational implications of research, and will become familiar with Family Science research from around the world.
Persons whose voices have historically been underrepresented are encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates will be notified by mid-April/early May 2026. Fellowships will run from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, with the possibility of extending into a second year.
LEARN MORE & APPLY
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CALLS FOR PAPERS
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Deadline Extended: Submit Letters by May 30 for FR Call for Papers
Theme: Ukrainian Forced Migrants' Transnational Families
The deadline has been extended for letters of intent for an upcoming special section of NCFR's Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science (FR), themed "Ukrainian Forced Migrants’ Transnational Families: New Relationality and Shared Agency."
Letters of intent are now due May 30, 2026.
For authors then invited to submit manuscripts, manuscripts will be due Dec. 30, 2026.
SEE FULL CALL FOR PAPERS
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NCFR Nexus
Family Communication and Conflict Resolution
Submission Deadline: May 1
The summer 2026 issue of NCFR Nexus will explore family communication and conflict resolution using the broadest possible definition of "family."
Healthy and effective communication is essential to family well-being and supports NCFR’s vision of "Every Family Thriving." Yet, communication breakdowns and unresolved conflicts are common challenges across all types of families, regardless of structure, background, or stage in the family life cycle.
NCFR Nexus invites articles from researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers. Submissions are due May 1, 2026, via the NCFR Nexus Article Submission Form.
READ MORE
Questions or ideas? Contact editor Beth Magistad, Ph.D., CFLE, at nexuseditor@ncfr.org.
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NCFR PUBLICATIONS
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Wisdom for Parents. Key Ideas from
Parent Educators
Edited by Elizabeth A. Ramsey, Ph.D., CFLE
$29.95 retail. $25.95 for CFLEs
Family Science professionals from across the discipline share stories, reflection, and poems in this extensive collection of parenting knowledge that can benefit anyone— teachers, researchers, students, and parents!
A variety of relevant topics on the joys and challenges of parenting are woven together to create a valuable resource both in and out of the classroom setting. This second edition includes updated entries, new contributions, and discussion questions.
Family Life Education: The Practice of Family ScienceEdited by Wm. Michael Fleming, Ph.D., CFLE; and Michael J. Walcheski, Ph.D., CFLE
$79.99 retail. $69.99 for NCFR members and CFLEs
Useful and informative for seasoned and emerging professionals, as well as for students, this textbook provides a comprehensive examination of the profession from the perspectives of many leading family scholars and educators.
The second edition includes four sections that consider the knowledge and skills needed for the effective practice of Family Life Education (FLE) and chapters on FLE with various populations and relevant issues.
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NCFR JOBS CENTER
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Employment Opportunities
Employers: Get your job opening included in Zippy News by posting it in
NCFR's online Jobs Center! Get started here.
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No new job postings this week.
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