Dr. Brian Higginbotham

Dr. Brian Higginbotham is a Professor and Family-Life Specialist with USU Extension. For two decades, he has led applied research focused on relationship health, parenting, and family resilience. Dr. Higginbotham has secured over $50 million in external funding and published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. His work has shaped public policy, informed best practices, and reached over 250,000 individuals through evidence-based programs and resources.

Dr. Higginbotham specializes in Family Life Education—the science and practice of empowering people to develop the knowledge and skills that enhance well-being and strengthen interpersonal relationships. He directs the Healthy Relationships Utah initiative and provides administrative oversight for the Utah Marriage Commission. His research has supported justice-involved populations, Work Success programs, intergenerational poverty initiatives, child-support guidelines, and broader impacts, including scalable digital resources accessed globally. He has co-developed validated assessment tools used in international studies and has received national recognition for his work, including the 2025 Priester Extension Health Leadership Award.

As a land-grant scholar, Dr. Higginbotham exemplifies engaged research with public impact. His work bridges academic rigor and community relevance, advancing the field of family life education while strengthening Utah families and systems.