NCFR is delighted to invite all NCFR members to a virtual Town Hall event after the 2020 NCFR Annual Conference, during which members will be able to discuss and collaboratively create strategic, actionable recommendations for strengthening Family Science.

Recommendations generated at this postconference event — planned and hosted by 2020 Conference Program Chair Brad van Eeden-Moorefield, Ph.D., CFLE, and NCFR Fellow and Past Board President Anisa Zvonkovic, Ph.D. — will be shared with the NCFR Board of Directors.

• Learn More About the December Town Hall
• See Town Hall Breakout Discussion Topics
• Register to Attend the Town Hall (NCFR member login required)
• See More Family Science Sessions to Attend at the November NCFR Conference

Future of Family Science Special Events

The beginning of this new decade is an opportune time to reflect on the vibrant history of Family Science, consider the realities for Family Science in today’s world, and imagine our hopes and dreams for tomorrow so we can thrive in the years ahead. We must also ensure our positioning is such that we can help all families hope, dream, and experience a safe and secure tomorrow.

The postconference Town Hall in December will provide an opportunity to hold these discussions and identify some specific needs and next steps.

Many related sessions during the 2020 NCFR Annual Conference in November also speak to the future of Family Science. Accordingly, we are excited to invite you to first join us as we virtually converge at our proverbial academic family dinner table, the NCFR Annual Conference.

Below we provide ways in which you can participate in this work, culminating in December's postconference Town Hall event. Attend what you can, and if you are unable to attend any of these events feel free to email your thoughts and suggestions to NCFR.
 

Future of Family Science:
Town Hall Forum for NCFR Members

Date: Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020
Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. CT
Location: Online; virtual meeting link will be provided to registrants
Cost: Free
How to Register: Registration was required by Dec. 3, 2020. 

Join your NCFR colleagues for open dialogue and breakout discussions about navigating the future of Family Science.

After a brief introduction with all participants, everyone will join their first facilitated breakout room for in-depth discussion of that room’s topic area, identifying needs and action-oriented next steps informed by your own experiences and by information from other conference sessions. Participants will be able to attend 2 breakout sessions during the event. Diversity, inclusion, and social justice will be centered along with global perspectives in all breakout discussions.

Finally, everyone will reconvene for a recap of needs and action steps from each breakout room, with additional open dialogue and ideas for future meetings/events as time allows.

Breakout Rooms/Topics:

• How do we identify what families need? (For instance, where are their voices and expertise included; how are their voices included in a variety of settings, from influencing curriculum needs to suggesting research needs, to practice and programming availabilities, etc.?)
• How do we, as Family Science scholars and practitioners, uniquely help strengthen families?
• How do we prepare people for lifelong careers (e.g., curriculum, internships, CFLE, CEUs, academic and non-academic career paths)?
• How can we interface with the public (e.g., career options, policy impact, translation science, programming)?
• How do we establish strong, inclusive leadership paths for Family Science, scientists, and practitioners?
• How do we demonstrate the value of Family Science?
• How do we navigate the increasing commercialization of the world in higher education and in our communities?

Registration was required by Dec. 3 to attend this free virtual Town Hall for NCFR members.
 

Before the Town Hall…

Leading up to the Dec. 10 member Town Hall event, you’re invited to attend additional sessions at the 2020 NCFR Annual Conference in November that demonstrate the innovative work that is already strengthening the Family Science discipline and ideas for exploring new possibilities — a little contouring of negative space. Please feel free to attend what you can or watch session recordings.

To watch recordings of conference sessions held Nov. 11–13, you need to have been registered for the conference, or you can still purchase access to conference recordings. Find recordings by searching our program schedule.

Friday, Nov. 6, 2020

• NCFR Annual Membership Meeting & Discussion of Advancing the Family Science Discipline: Attend this annual meeting of the NCFR membership to learn about the work NCFR is currently pursuing to strengthen the Family Science discipline, and provide your initial feedback on the direction of this work. We hope this meeting can help members begin preparing thoughts for more discussions about Family Science throughout the conference and during the postconference Town Hall.
  
  All NCFR members are invited to attend the all-member meeting, regardless of conference registration.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020

• Session #103: Preparing Students for a Changing World: Re-Imagining HDFS Curricula to Attract, Support, and Prepare Undergraduate Students
• 108: Bridging the Gap in International Programs: Addressing the Intersections of Students’ Identity Development, Learning Outcomes, and Program Leadership Strategies
• 112: Invited Presenter Symposium: “Alt-Ac:” Navigating the Non-Academic and Hidden Job Markets
• 113: Leading Undergraduate Programs: Challenges and Resources. An Interactive Workshop
• 126: Contemporary and Innovative Approaches for Mentoring/Teaching Graduate Students Enrolled

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020

• 200: Invited Presenter Workshop: Translating Your Work to a Broader Audience: A Workshop For Researchers Whose Work is of Practical and Policy Significance
• 203: Teaching Undergraduate and Graduate Students to Think Like Family Scientists: Fostering Critical Thinking and Scientific Reasoning (this recording will be available at a later date)
• 211: Invited Presenter Workshop: Finding and Securing Jobs in Academia: Post Doc Positions, Tenure and Non-Tenure Track Options
• 222: Affiliate Councils Workshop, Part 1: Transitioning From a Bachelor's Degree to the Workplace
• 224: Invited Presenter Symposium: Going Public: Recommendations For Engaging in Public Scholarship, Translational Research, and Advocacy Efforts
• 225: Invited Presenter Symposium: Exploring the Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities Inherent to Non-Tenure Track Labor in Family Science
• 226: Critical Reflections on Teaching “Diversity” From the Margins: Graduate Teaching Associates’ Experiences and Perspectives

Friday, Nov. 13, 2020

• 303: Expanding High Impact Teaching Practices in Family Theories
• 314: Dissemination Bootcamp: Turn Your Scholarship Into Public Engagement
• 323: Town Hall: Lessons Learned Teaching During the Pandemic and Reimagining Teaching In The Future
• 323A: Expanding the Boundaries of Teaching and Learning in Family Science: Student Engagement and Learning

With questions or for further assistance, please contact NCFR. We hope to see you at this year’s Family Science conference sessions and the December postconference Town Hall!