Dr. Larry Forthun
Chair and Professor
Biography
Dr. Larry Forthun is the Chair and Professor of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences. Dr. Forthun has actively participated in the department’s academic programs, including teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, serving as undergraduate program coordinator, graduate program coordinator, associate department chair and interim chair. He has served on numerous graduate student thesis and dissertation committees and has chaired departmental committees on academic programs. His research examines the risk and protective factors that impact risky behaviors among youth and young adults, including alcohol and other drug use, antisocial behavior, problematic eating behaviors and mental health. He is the project director for Florida PROSPERs, an initiative within Florida 4-H Extension that promotes a community-based partnership model for the prevention of substance misuse, promotion of life skills, and strengthening of family relationships. Dr. Forthun has authored over 45 articles in peer reviewed publications including the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Journal of Child and Family Studies, and the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He has secured over $3 million in grant funding as both a principal investigator and co-investigator on numerous awards from local, state, and federal sponsors. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi research honor society, Society for Prevention Research and other professional research associations.
Contact Information
lforthun@ufl.edu
352-273-3528
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Education
- B.S. Psychology, Utah State University
- M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy, Utah State University
- Ph.D. Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University
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Professional Experience
- Chair and Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, 2025 - present
- Interim Chair and Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, 2024 - 2025
- Asst/Assoc Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, UF/IFAS, 2008 - 2024
- Asst/Assoc Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State University, DuBois, 1998 - 2007
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Teaching
- FYC 6800 Scientific Reasoning and Research Design
- FYC 6207 Adolescent Problematic Behavior
- FYC 4212 Contemporary Youth Problems and Solutions
- FYC 4202 Youth and Family Relations
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Research
Interests Include:
- Community-based approaches to the prevention of substance misuse among early adolescents
- Risk and protective factors for risky behaviors among adolescents and young adults
- Identify development in adolescence and young adulthood
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Extension
Project Director for Florida PROSPERs. The project aims to promote positive youth development and reduce risks like substance misuse. Using the PROSPER delivery system, it brings together community leaders, educators, professionals, and residents to deliver school and community evidence-based programs that address specific needs.
- Publications
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Awards and Honors
- 2024 Membership Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
- 2023 UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Graduate Teacher/Adviser of the Year
- 2018 Educator Award, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)
- 2017 UF/IFAS Superior Accomplishment Award for Faculty Service
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Other Professional Activities
- Editorial Board Member for Journal of Youth and Adolescence (Springer), Adolescent Research Review (Springer), and Adolescents (MDPI Open Access)
- Chair, Mental Health Topic Network, Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood, 2016-2023