Alan J. Hawkins is a Professor and current Director of the School of Family Life at Brigham University in Provo, Utah. He earned a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at The Pennsylvania State University in 1990. Professor Hawkins has taught and conducted research and outreach at Brigham Young University since 1990. In 2012, he received the university's prestigious Karl G. Maeser Research Award. From 2014-2019 he held the Camilla E. Kimball Endowed Professorship of Home and Family Living. His scholarship and outreach focuses on educational and policy interventions to help couples form and sustain healthy relationships and enduring marriages. In 2003-2004, he was a visiting scholar with the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services), working on the federal healthy marriages initiative. He has served twice as the Chair of the Utah Marriage Commission.
Research Interests
- Programs and policies to help couples form and sustain healthy marriages and relationships.
- Divorce ideation.
- Educational programs and policies to strengthen responsible fathering.
Teaching Interests
Introduction to the School of Family Life (SFL 101)
Forming and Maintaining Marital Relationships (SFL 325)
Family Life Education (SFL 498)
Meta-Analysis (MFHD 695R)
Licenses and Certifications
National Council on Family Relations, Certified Family Life Educator (2000 - 2009)
Honors and Awards
Camilla Eyring Kimball Endowed Professorship of Home and Family Life, Brigham Young University
(2014 - 2019)
Advancing the Cause, National Association for Relationship and Marriage Education
(2013 - 2013)
Annual Research Award, School of Family Life, Brigham Young Universty
(2012 - 2012)
Significant Research Award, Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
(2012 - 2012)
J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Fellowship, Brigham Young University
(2008 - 2011)
Virginia F. Cutler Lecture, School of Family Life
(2003 - 2004)
Administrative Assignments
School of Family Life: Director (2018 -
Present)
School of Family Life: Associate Director (2017 -
Present)
: Associate Director (2000 -
2003)
: Director (1996 -
2000)
Memberships
National Council on Family Relations (1988 - Present)
Society for Prevention Research (2007 - 2009)
Professional Citizenship
Committee/Council Member, Utah Marriage Commission (2021 - Present)
Officer, National Association for Relationship and Marriage Education (2012 - Present)
Board Member, Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (2010 - Present)
Committee/Council Member, Fatherhood Research and Practice Network (2013 - 2018)
Committee/Council Member, Utah Marriage Commission (2004 - 2018)