Syracuse Sun

In November, Syracuse University announced the merger of its Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) departments within the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. This integration will take effect on July 1, 2025, forming a new department under Syracuse’s College of Arts and Sciences.

The announcement coincided with the National Conference on Family Relations (NCFR), held from November 20-23 in Bellevue, Washington. The event showcased the collaborative potential between the two departments. MFT Assistant Professor Eman Tadros received recognition at the conference with both the Olson Grant and Advancing Family Science Emerging Mentor/Teacher Award. Marjorie Cantor Professor of Aging Studies Merril Silverstein was also a keynote speaker at NCFR.

"Dr. Tadros’ involvement with NCFR highlights the interconnection between the HDFS and MFT departments," stated Dyane Watson, MFT chair and Professor of Practice. "NCFR and many other professional organizations support both departments’ focus on expanding scholarship on human systems and development, and relational wellbeing."

Watson emphasized that this collaboration sets a foundation for increased research opportunities impacting families globally.

Matthew Mulvaney, HDFS chair and Associate Professor, noted that Tadros plans to use her Olson Grant to explore online dating behaviors among racially minoritized individuals. He also highlighted Dr. Silverstein's previous work with former HDFS doctoral student Woosang Hwang on digital communication's role in maintaining intergenerational relationships during the pandemic.

Tadros' recognition as an Emerging Mentor/Teacher underscores her mentorship efforts, particularly in creating research opportunities for underrepresented students.

Apart from NCFR, faculty members from HDFS presented their work at another significant event: The Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting in Seattle from November 13-16. Their presentations covered various topics related to aging processes across different cultural contexts.

"The presentations at GSA included original research on dementia care, mortality patterns, mental health, and intergenerational relationships in older adults," Mulvaney explained. "Much of this research focused on examining key processes of aging across diverse contexts."

At NCFR, discussions centered around family relationship dynamics such as biased-based harassment among adolescents, child maltreatment issues, intergenerational ties, and poverty's impact on children's self-regulation skills.

Mulvaney added that all presented studies employed advanced methodologies to deepen understanding about critical family processes.

For more details regarding presenters from these conferences along with their respective researches shared thereon can be found via visiting Falk College’s website directly.