Geoffrey L. Brown

Geoffrey L. Brown, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences. His research focuses on social and emotional development in infancy and early childhood, particularly from attachment and family systems perspectives, with a strong emphasis on father-child relationships and parenting in diverse socio-cultural contexts.

• Education
  • Ph.D., Developmental Psychology - University of Illinois (2008)
  • M.A., Developmental Psychology - University of Illinois (2003)
  • B.S./B.A., Psychology and French - Furman University (2001)
  • Postdoctoral Training - Center for Developmental Science, University of North Carolina (2010)
• Key Research Areas
  • Paternal contributions to infant development
  • Attachment security in African American families
  • Contextual factors affecting parenting
  • Strengths-based family interventions
  • Developmental psychology methodology

The 15 most recent publications (2025-2020) demonstrate consistent focus on attachment theory, family dynamics, and developmental psychology, with particular attention to father-child relationships, parental stress moderation, and cultural influences on parenting. Notably, 2024-2025 work expands into adolescent social anxiety and pregnancy readiness domains.

Scientific Recognition

• R01 Research Award (~$3 million) - NIH (NICHD), 2018-present
• Early Career Faculty Research Award - UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2018
• Diversity and Inclusion Research Award - NCFR Men in Families Focus Group, 2016

Current NIH-funded research examines contextual factors affecting transition to parenthood and fathers' contributions to infant development among African American men in rural Georgia. Teaching responsibilities include both undergraduate and graduate research methods courses in human development.