More About Us

The REF Collaborative brings together researchers and practitioners from across the nation who are interested in either exploring new research questions relevant to the intersection of the family and education sciences or using the research literature to support the translation, implementation, and evaluation of programs designed to support the general well-being of all students, educators, and/or families.

The founders of the REF Collaborative are Dr. Richard Feistman and Dr. Tyler Jamison. These scholar-practitioners have combined to produce nearly two dozen published research articles, as well as presented (often by invitation or through peer-reviewed proposals) at over 50 events since 2010. Dr. Feistman’s school, workforce, and program evaluation experience paired with Dr. Jamison’s expertise in qualitative methodology brings a unique skill set to this project that meets the needs of the project as proposed in the funding announcement.

Richard Feistman, Ph.D.

Dr. Feistman specializes in program evaluation, educational leadership, and workforce initiatives. He has supported State Agencies (Education and Health), Local Education Agencies, and nonprofits in implementing and evaluation of projects ranging from statewide to individual programs. Dr. Feistman has supported Title I, II, and II projects with state agencies, and worked with university projects that address the specific needs of families including teen parents and those in recovery. Dr. Feistman was appointed to the New Hampshire Wellness and Primary Prevention Council where he designed and implemented a multi-step evaluation for assessing the quality of a statewide network of family resource centers. Dr. Feistman has developed general and equity-focused impact frameworks for multiple non-profits as well as developed workforce systems to streamline access to living wage employment.

Tyler Jamison, Ph.D.

Dr. Jamison is a family and relationship scholar who writes and presents nationally on research that explores the well-being of young adult couples and families. Her research specifically focuses on how individuals learn and grow through their romantic relationships to develop healthier, more authentic partnerships. Dr. Jamison has also designed and/or implemented programs to support children from post-divorce families, unmarried parents experiencing poverty, and teen parents. Dr. Jamison is an expert qualitative researcher whose methodological work has been featured in scholarly books, webinars, and invited presentations. She is actively engaged in public scholarship through her blog on Psychology Today, her role disseminating research for the Journal of Family Theory and Review, and her leadership on Relevate, a team that provides free access to research written for lay audiences.