Preston Britner

Dr. Preston Britner is a Professor of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at the University of Connecticut (UConn), serving as Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies since 1997. He holds the Philip E. Austin Endowed Chair (2013–2016) and has received multiple awards, including the Edward C. Marth Mentorship Award (2019) and AAUP Service Excellence Award (2011). His research focuses on interventions for families in foster care, community-based programs like the Supportive Housing for Families (SHF), and translational science to promote healthy child-parent relationships. Britner has contributed to over 100 articles, often with student co-authors, and actively engages in policy advocacy at state and federal levels.

Education: BA in Psychology (University of Miami), MA and PhD in Developmental Psychology (University of Virginia). His work emphasizes child maltreatment prevention, youth mentoring, and family support systems. He has led initiatives such as UConn’s Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement classification (2010) and chaired committees on faculty standards, accreditation, and public engagement.

• Research Interests: Foster care interventions, prevention science, attachment theory, and policy advocacy.
• Awards: AAUP Service Excellence (2011), Provost’s Public Engagement (2015), Edward C. Marth Mentorship (2019).
• Service Roles: Co-Chair of APA’s Committee on Children, Youth, and Families; Co-Chair of Connecticut’s Families with Service Needs Advisory Board.

Britner’s work bridges academia and community, with a focus on vulnerable populations. He resides in Hampton, CT, with his family.