Gary Hansen holds a B.A. and a M.A. in sociology from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in sociology from Iowa State University. Dr. Hansen joined the faculty of the University of Kentucky in 1986 as an Extension Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and became an Associate Extension Professor in 1989 and an Extension Professor in 1998. He has served as Associate Chair of the Department of Sociology (1998-2002) and currently is Chair of the Department of Community & Leadership Development.

Dr. Hansen’s specialty areas include children, youth, and families and social psychology. He is the author of Extension publications on such topics as family stress, effective family communications, parenting, teen sexuality, aging, and grief as well as numerous news releases, research summaries, and newsletter articles. His major research interests include the marital adjustment process, the social-psychological aspects of emotions (particularly jealousy), and adolescent sexual behavior. Currently, he is a co-investigator on a five-year study titled “HIV Intervention for Young, Appalachian Risk Takers” which is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.