Dr. Larissa Duncan

Biography

Larissa Duncan is the Elizabeth C. Davies Chair in the Department of Human Development & Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research focuses on promoting health equity and well-being through multi-level systems change, which includes a recognition of the need for mindful parenting. She is recognized internationally for her development framework aimed at assessing and bringing mindfulness and compassion training into medical, school, and community contexts. Duncan employs mixed methods to study how contemplative practices can support healthy child and family development, and she is committed to improving cultural relevance in her approaches by partnering with global majority communities. At UW–Madison, she directs the AWARE Research Lab, which aims to promote awareness, resilience, and equity. Duncan has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health and private foundations to support her efforts in prevention science, maternal and child health, and reproductive justice, employing community-based participatory action research methods. Her projects currently include testing anti-racist parenting training and improving public health primary care practices for Latino and Indigenous immigrant communities, as well as examining the linkages between nature and human health.

Research Interests