Steven T. Russell, PhD is a Regents Professor of Child Development at the University of Texas. He is also serves as the Director of the School of Human Ecology. Dr. Russell studies adolescent development, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing. Much of his research is guided by a commitment to create social change to support healthy development. His research has been used to shape local and state policies and laws for school safety. His research interests include LGBTQ youth health and rights; programs and policies to improve human development; and cultural processes in families.
In January 2025, the National Academy of Education elected Dr. Russell as an exceptional educational leader and scholar to membership in the Academy. He is also an elected board member of the National Council on Family Relations (2005-2008), President of the Society for Research on Adolescence (2012-2014), a member of the Governing Council of the Society for Research in Child Development (2019-2025) and the Boards of the Council on Contemporary Families. He is also on the board of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Board on Children, Youth and Families. Russell has served for many years on the Board of Directors for SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change. His outstanding trainees who work with him include an amazing group of postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, to whom he dedicates himself, supporting their development and learning from them, which he considers to be among the most satisfying parts of his job.