Families Alive Lecture Series
The Families Alive Tanner Lecture Series features lectures and presentations by leading scholars and practitioners in family science, human development and early childhood. Lectures and presentations will be held in person on the campuses of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, and are free and open to the general public.
There are typically eight lectures per year. Recordings of lectures will be made available online 1-2 weeks after the lecture.
The Department of Child and Family Studies has hosted the Families Alive Tanner Lecture Series at Weber State since 1984. We are grateful for an endowment from the OC Tanner Corporation and other sponsors including the Utah Marriage Commission for their support and helping make these lectures possible.
Contact Paul Schvaneveldt, Chair of the Families Alive Tanner Lecture Series, at pschvanveldt@weber.edu with questions.
Modern Barriers to Dating and Marriage: The Dating Landscape Project
Presented by: Brian Willoughby, Ph.D., Professor School of Family Life, Brigham Young University
When: Sept. 10, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Where: McKay Education Building, Room 327
Lecture and Presenter Information
Several recent trends suggest that marriage and many forms of romantic partnering are on the decline. In the United States and around the world, young adults are increasingly considering lifelong singlehood.
Willoughby, an expert on young adult relationship patterns, will present results from a recent study of barriers to dating and marriage to unpack why these trends are occurring. Common trends in modern dating will also be covered.
Fall 2025 Lecture Schedule
Oct. 14, 2025
Dakota Matherly, Director of the Office of Early Childhood
Strengthening Early Childhood in Utah: The Impact of Mixed Model Service Delivery
Oct. 30, 2025
Aimee Winder-Newton, Senior Advisor to Governor and Director, Utah Office of Families
Strengthening Families: Utah's united effort to support marriage and family life
Nov. 5, 2025
Amanda Ramos, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Human Dev & Family Studies, Utah State University
Genetic, Prenatal and Early Parent contributions to Early Childhood Development