Dr. Spencer L. James is an associate professor of Family Life and an Africana Studies affiliate at Brigham Young University. His research focuses on global family relationships and how those relationships influence the wellbeing of children, adolescents, and adults.
Research Interests
His research focuses on global family relationships and how those relationships influence the wellbeing of children, adolescents, and adults.
Within this broader stream of research, he focuses on two lines: the first on the consequences of family relationships for child well-being and the second addressing how and why people form, maintain, and dissolve romantic relationships. Presently, he is directing the Global Families Research Initiative, which aims to inform the curious public, policymakers, journalists, academics, and other stakeholders of current trends shaping contemporary family life across the globe. His current projects examine how family structure and child wellbeing are linked in sub-Saharan Africa.
Education
Ph.D, Sociology and Demography , The Pennsylvania State University (2012)
Best Public Scholarship Publication, BYU School of Family Life
(2019 - Present)
Fulbright Scholar-University of Parakou, Benin, West Africa, United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Institute of International Education
(2023 - 2024)
Memberships
International Association for Relationship Research (2013 - Present)
National Council on Family Relations (2011 - Present)
Population Association of America (2008 - 2015)
Courses Taught
Publications
Spencer L. JamesJeremy B. YorgasonSpencer L. JamesJeremy B. YorgasonErin K. HolmesD. J. JohnsonDean M BusbyHeather H. KelleyDavid C DollahiteSpencer L JamesLoren Dean MarksHeather Howell KelleyY. LeeAshley Brooks LeBaron BlackDavid C DollahiteSpencer L JamesLoren Dean MarksT. HallMcKell Jorgensen-WellsSpencer L JamesErin Kramer HolmesLaurie F. DeRoseWilliam Bradford WilcoxPamela Levya-TownsendJaviera Reyes BritoSpencer L JamesDavid B. AllsopChelom E. LeavittMatthew T. SaxeyJenna M. LawlorJeremy B YorgasonSpencer L. JamesSpencer L JamesDavid A. NelsonMcKell A. Jorgensen-WellsDanielle CalderVeronica Hanna-WalkerDean MM. BusbyChelom E. LeavittSpencer L. JamesBraquel R EggintonErin K HolmesSpencer L JamesAlan J HawkinsStephen Farr DuncanThomas Jack Esplin WhiteSpencer L L. JamesChelom Eastwood LeavittTawniele F. MaurerTiffany L. ClydeRebecca W. ClarkeDean M BusbyJeremy B YorgasonErin Kramer HolmesSpencer L JamesJoana Salifu YendorkSpencer L JamesMcKell A. Jorgensen-WellsSpencer L JamesBrian J WilloughbyJeremy B YorgasonSpencer L JamesErin Kramer HolmesDean M BusbyNathan D. LeonhardtSpencer L JamesHal Robert BoydJason S CarrollSpencer L JamesHal Robert BoydSpencer L JamesJason S CarrollHal Robert BoydSpencer L JamesJason S CarrollSherina Mwakamui SaasaSpencer L JamesTiffany L. ClydeJocelyn S WikleAlan J HawkinsSpencer L JamesThomas Jack Esplin WhiteStephen Farr DuncanJeremy B YorgasonSpencer L JamesErin Kramer HolmesSpencer L JamesJini L RobyBrian J WilloughbySpencer L JamesIan MarseeMadi MemmottRenee DennisonPaul R AmatoSpencer L JamesDaniel K. SmedleyChelom E. LeavittDavid B. AllsopMcKenna NanceSpencer L. JamesErin K. HolmesJessica LambertAlyssa Jane Banford WittingSpencer L JamesLackmal PonnamperumaThulitha WickramaSpencer L JamesJini L RobyLindsay J PowellBryan A TeuscherKelsey L HamsteadKevin M ShaferBrian J WilloughbySpencer L JamesKevin M ShaferSpencer L JamesJeffry Hale LarsonBrian J WilloughbyMelissa MedarisSpencer L JamesKyle BartholomewTodd Lewis GoodsellSpencer L JamesJeremy B YorgasonVaughn R A CallSpencer L JamesSpencer L JamesSpencer L JamesSpencer L JamesPaul R. AmatoKevin M ShaferSpencer L JamesSpencer L JamesBrett A. BeattieSpencer L JamesKevin M Shafer