Each year, hundreds of faculty, researchers, students, and family professionals present cutting-edge work and make valuable professional connections at the annual conference of NCFR — the premier professional association for understanding and strengthening families through interdisciplinary research, theory, and practice.

Connection is a hallmark of NCFR conferences — often referred to as the “Family Reunion” of Family Science — a place where students form career-spanning relationships with colleagues and where professionals from across many disciplines and nationalities converge to learn from each other.

Conference presenters and attendees come from the disciplines of Family Science, human development, sociology, psychology, demography, social work, family therapy, and more.

2021 Conference Theme

The 2021 theme of The Science of Families: Nurturing Hope, Happiness, & Health, encourages presenters to provide recommendations for translational science and innovations in policy and practice.

The use of multiple voices, methods, and solutions will expand families' ways of seeking hope, happiness, and health. It will help everyone develop a sense of connection as we face economic, mental health, COVID-19, and other challenges. Read more.
 

Planning for Virtual Conference

At this time, NCFR is planning to host the 2021 conference virtually due to current pandemic conditions. The 2020 NCFR virtual conference format was well received by attendees and NCFR will continue to build upon its success. Read more.

2021 Call for Proposals

Help ensure another year of high-quality presentations on family-related research, teaching, and practice by submitting a proposal and signing up to review proposals by March 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Submissions are sought on family-related research, teaching, and evidence-based practice at all levels of analysis, from dynamics within dyadic and family relationships to families in communities, cultures, and societies.

Presentation formats include paper sessions, posters, submitted or invited symposia, and workshops. Two popular formats from 2020 will return: interactive paper sessions and interactive workshops.

NCFR is the premier conference for research focused solely on families. Here are 5 things to know about proposals:

1. There is no fee to submit a proposal.
2. You may submit more than one proposal as first author.
3. Proposals do not have to be part of a symposium and are blind peer-reviewed.
4. Family scholars and professionals from all disciplines and career levels are invited to submit proposals.
5. Proposals are especially invited from students and international researchers.

The 2021 Call for Proposals includes individual calls from:

• NCFR's 10 sections (specific family topics of interest)
• The NCFR Affiliate Councils (state, regional, and community interests)
• Students and New Professionals (professional development topics)
• Theory Construction & Research Methodology (TCRM) Workshop

Please note the different proposal systems/processes for the Affiliate Councils (due March 8) and TCRM Workshop (due March 22).

Have questions? Connect with a member of the 2021 Conference Program Committee