Lauren Harris

Asst Professor
Phone: (603) 862-0989
Office: UNH CHHS Human Development and Family Studies, Hewitt Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Dr. Lauren Harris

My interests center on romantic relationships, early stages of family formation, gender, aging and the life course, and qualitative methods. In my research, I investigate the meanings, processes, and transitions of family formation, particularly in the stages of searching for a romantic partner and beginning a romantic relationship, at different stages of the life course. More specifically, my recent work has explored experiences searching for, meeting, and dating potential romantic partners for older adults through interviews with 100 singles (50 men and 50 women), ages 60-83.

Research Interests

  • Aging and life course
  • Family
  • Qualitative research methods
  • Women and gender

Courses Taught

  • HDFS 545: Intimate Relationships & Fam
  • HDFS 625: Adult Development and Aging
  • HDFS 757/857: Race, Class, Gender & Families

Selected Publications

Harris, L. E. (2021). Committing Before Cohabiting: Pathways to Marriage Among Middle-Class Couples. JOURNAL OF FAMILY ISSUES, 42(8), 1762-1786. doi:10.1177/0192513X20957049

Furstenberg, F. F., Harris, L. E., Pesando, L. M., & Reed, M. N. (2020). Kinship Practices Among Alternative Family Forms in Western Industrialized Societies. JOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, 82(5), 1403-1430. doi:10.1111/jomf.12712