Research Insights: What factors influence parental burnout?

Inés Botto, a graduate student in the Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) department, helped author a recently published study that examined how different combinations of parenting circumstances — such as children’s ages, employment and …

Celebrating Fall Research Competition recipients as 2024 application opens

The Fall Research Competition, offered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, is a chance for UW–Madison faculty members to receive vital funding support for research projects. Applications for the 2024 competition are …

Eight faculty members receive promotions, named appointments

Several faculty members who recently received promotions and named appointments will return to campus this fall with added distinction. Larissa Duncan and Kevin Ponto were promoted to professor, and Margaret Kerr, David J. Pate Jr. …

Researcher Spotlights: Margaret Kerr on taking the pressure out of parenting and promoting family resiliency

Researcher Spotlights are Q&As that shine a light on School of Human Ecology faculty members’ unique scholarship and research interests. Margaret Kerr, an assistant professor of Human Development & Family Studies, examines emotional experiences in …

A year in pictures: Human Ecology in 2023

Story by Maddie Kranz x’24, a UW–Madison student studying Community & Nonprofit Leadership and Art History. So much to celebrate! Human Ecology kicked off 2023 with two of our majors landing on the list of …

Madison schools want to transform food programs (The Cap Times; Gaddis, Kerr and Human Ecology graduate students)

Associate Professor of Civil Society & Community Studies Jennifer Gaddis discusses how she, Human Development & Family Studies Assistant Professor Margaret Kerr and Human Ecology graduate students are working with the Madison Metropolitan School District to better understand emotions around school food and the choice to participate or not in school food programs.

Jennifer Gaddis is a passionate advocate for school lunch (Madison Magazine; Gaddis and Kerr)

Associate Professor of Civil Society & Community Studies Jennifer Gaddis is profiled about her research on school lunch and her advocacy for healthier, more equitable school lunches for all. The story mentions Assistant Professor of Human Development & Family Studies Margaret Kerr, whom Gaddis is currently working with to study how parents of elementary students feel about school meals.

What do fathers need to be successful? (Wisconsin Public Radio; Kerr)

Human Development & Family Studies Assistant Professor Margaret Kerr explains the findings of the Wisconsin Statewide Fatherhood Needs Assessment, which surveyed 35 Wisconsin fathers about what they feel they need to be successful and healthy parents. The assessment was conducted through the UW–Madison Division of Extension.