Center for Families at Purdue University
The Center for Families brings people, research, and ideas together to strengthen all families and help them thrive.
How We Approach Our Work
Discover
Ask. Explore. Understand.
We pursue research and ideas that deepen our understanding of families and what helps them thrive.
Connect
Bring people and ideas together.
We connect research, disciplines, people, and communities to spark collaboration and new possibilities.
Empower
Turn discovery into possibility.
We create opportunities and connections that help empower all families to thrive.
LATEST RESEARCH AND NEWS
-
The Family Dinner Project in Indiana, an initiative of the Center for Families, earned three Central Region awards at the 2026 NEAFCS Annual Session. The honors recognize work by Extension educators and community partners that turns research on family meals into stronger relationships, better health and connected communities.
-
A Beyond the Grant: a Miles Research Enhancement Grant brought an undergraduate into research mapping U.S. reproductive healthcare deserts. The work helped build a public dashboard showing where care has disappeared and how far families must travel, and it inspired the student to pursue a Purdue Sociology PhD.
-
The Center for Families will host its 2026 CFF Fellowship Lecture on Thursday, November 5, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET, featuring Oliver Wendt, PhD, F-ASHA, to share how research-based communication technologies can move from the lab to families and communities around the world.
Some research and news links may lead to external websites not maintained by the Center for Families. These sites may not follow the same accessibility standards (such as WCAG 2.1) required by ADA Title II. If you experience difficulty accessing this content, please contact cff@purdue.edu for assistance or to request an alternative format.
150+ Faculty Members
have engaged in projects that have added to the creation & dissemination of new knowledge
Who are our Faculty Partners?$750 Thousand+
of funding provided directly to support over 175 students, faculty, & educators & their research & programs
Read about funded research & programs30+ Years
of harnessing the power of faculty, staff, students, alumni, & friends to improve our quality of life
Learn about Center milestonesYOUR SUPPORT MAKES AN IMPACT
Every gift, no matter how large or small, makes it possible for the center to be involved in innovative initiatives that impact individuals and families.
GIVE NOW