Dr. Justin R. Garcia , Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute and Ruth N. Halls Professor in the College of Arts + Sciences at Indiana University, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the world’s largest scientific societies and publisher of the Science family of journals. A tradition dating back to 1874, election as an AAAS Fellow is one of the most distinct honors within the scientific community.
Dr. Garcia received this recognition from AAAS for “his distinguished contributions to understanding evolutionary and biocultural foundations of romantic and sexual relationships across the lifespan,” as well as his “unwavering defense of academic freedom to promote scientific and scholarly inquiry.”
An award-winning evolutionary biologist and recognized authority on the science of sex and relationships, Dr. Garcia specializes in evolution and human behavior, romantic and sexual relationships, and intimacy. He has served as Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute since 2019, where he leads pioneering research and global collaborations. Widely published in peer-reviewed journals, he is also author of The Intimate Animal and advises industry, media and public stakeholders on the science of modern relationships.
Dr. Garcia’s multidisciplinary work integrates biological, psychological, and social perspectives to address fundamental questions about how humans form and sustain social and romantic bonds. By combining biological science with large-scale behavioral data, his work examines important social and demographic trends and provides vital insights that impact public health, social cohesion, and quality of life. His election as a AAAS Fellow underscores the broader impact of his research and the importance of deepening understanding of human intimacy in ways that benefit both science and society.
“This year's AAAS Fellows have demonstrated research excellence. made notable contributions to advance science, and delivered important services to their communities,” said AAAS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sudip S. Parikh. “These Fellows and their accomplishments validate the importance of investing in science and technology for the benefit of all.”
Dr. Garcia is among nearly 500 scientists, engineers, and innovators elected this year, including 13 from across Indiana University. Fellows are recognized for their contributions to science and society and are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity. Distinguished past honorees include Ellen Ochoa, Steven Chu, Grace Hopper, Alan Alda, Mae Jemison and Ayanna Howard.
Earlier this month, Dr. Garcia was also recognized as a fellow of the International Association for Relationship Research for his contributions to the field, including his leadership of the Kinsey Institute, his numerous scientific journal publications that bridge the gap between sexuality and romantic relationships research, and his work as a scientific advisor for the large-scale Singles in America survey in partnership with Match.