Dr. Frances Gardner

Biography

Frances Gardner is a Professor of Child Family Psychology at the University of Oxford's Department of Social Policy and Intervention. Her research primarily focuses on developing and testing parenting interventions aimed at reducing child behavior problems and violence against children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. She investigates how to adapt and transfer parenting interventions across different cultures and countries, as well as the mechanisms of change for effective interventions. Frances has led systematic reviews and contributed to global guidelines on parenting interventions aimed at reducing child maltreatment. She is a co-founder of Parenting for Lifelong Health, a suite of low-cost, open-source parenting programs supported by a UK charity. Her current projects include adapting and testing parenting interventions in primary healthcare settings in Thailand, cash transfer systems in the Philippines, and preschool systems in Malaysia. In recognition of her contributions, she received the prestigious Academy of Social Sciences Fellowship and was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) in 2025. She advises governments and international organizations, including UNICEF and WHO, on parenting strategies and violence prevention. Frances is also involved in various editorial roles, including serving as Associate Editor for 'Prevention Science.'

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Awards