Eric K. Layland

Dr. Eric K. Layland serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware's College of Education and Human Development, with a joint appointment in the School of Education. His work bridges LGBTQ+ developmental research to community impact through developmentally-informed, affirmative interventions.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University (2020)
• M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University (2018)
• M.S. in Youth & Family Recreation from Brigham Young University (2013)
• B.S. in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership from Brigham Young University (2011)

Dr. Layland's research centers on LGBTQ+ within-group mental health disparities, substance use patterns, and the developmental impact of stigma. He pioneers strengths-based approaches and affirmative interventions while employing advanced analytical methods to model how intersecting systems of oppression shape LGBTQ+ health trajectories across the lifespan.

His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards:

• Outstanding Dissertation Award, Society for Behavioral Medicine (2021)
• Fund for Lesbian and Gay Studies Research Award, Yale University (2020)
• Yale AIDS Prevention Training Fellowship, National Institute of Mental Health (2020-2022)
• LGBTQA Alumni Interest Group Award, The Pennsylvania State University (2019)

Dr. Layland leads multiple NIH-funded initiatives including evaluations of telehealth services for LGBTQ+ clients, LGBTQ+ affirmative cognitive behavioral therapy for youth, and anti-Black sexual racism mechanisms among gay/bisexual men. His community-engaged work spans interventions like LateNight Penn State (underage drinking prevention), HealthWise South Africa (HIV/substance use prevention), and the Healthy Young Men’s Cohort study examining intersecting stigma among Black/Latinx sexual minority youth.

His research appears in leading journals including Prevention Science, Social Science and Medicine, LGBT Health, Archives of Sexual Behavior, and Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.