Get to know CSU Fullerton Professor and Twin Studies Expert Nancy Segal!
Institution:
California State University, Fullerton
Number of years as LSA member:
2
Number of LSA Meetings Attended:
2
Other Association Affiliations:
Society for the Evolutionary Analysis of Law (SEAL)
International Twin Society
Evolution and Human Behavior
Behavior Genetics Association
American Psychological Association
Areas of Research:
Twin Studies
Evolutionary Psychology
Behavior Genetics
Developmental Psychology
Reproduction and Effects on Society and Families
Favorite Topics to Teach or Research:
Twin Research
Unique Skill or Fact:
I draw bridges between diverse fields. I also do a lot of media and public lectures, since I believe professionals must responsibly educate the public. I answer every email. I also mentor students within and outside my university.
Additional Hobbies:
Swing dancing, watching old black & white films
Notable Awards and Grants:
California State University, Wang Family Excellence Award | 2016
American Psychological Association, William James Book Award (Born Together—Reared Apart) | 2013
Western Psychological Association, Award for Social Responsibility | 2008
Multiple Births Canada, International Making a Difference Award | 2006
Behavior Genetics Association & International Society for Twin Studies, James Shields Award for Lifetime Contributions to Twin Research | 2005
Top Books and/or Publications:
Gay Fathers, Twin Sons: The Citizenship Case That Captured the World (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023)
Deliberately Divided; Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021)
Born Together—Reared Apart: The Landmark Minnesota Twin Study (Harvard University Press, 2012)
Education:
Ph.D., University of Chicago
M.A., University of Chicago
B.A., Boston University
Major Appearances:
“Twin Relations and the Architecture of Human Bonds” TedXNewRiver, 2026
“What Twins Reveal About the Future of Human Cloning” TEDXManhattanBeach, 2026
“What Identical Twins Separated at Birth Teach Us About Genetics” BBC Global, 2022
“Three Identical Strangers: The Science Behind the Story with Dr. Sanjay Gupta” CNN Podcasts, 2018
“Exploring the Bond Between Twins” Good Morning America, 2017
“Twins: A Window Into Human Nature” TedXManhattanBeach, 2017
“Twins: It is All in the Genes?” Our America with Lisa Ling, OWN Network, 2011
Oprah Winfrey Show – Three Episodes
What do you find the most beneficial about being an LSA member?
Most beneficial to me about belonging to LSA are the opportunities to meet colleagues in similar and related fields. When I attended my first meeting several years ago, I met an attorney from New Zealand. He and I stayed in touch over the years, and he recently authored a review of one of my books. I have also learned a great deal about scholarship opportunities for myself and my students. I feel that my knowledge of the breadth of topics related to my work has been significantly extended.
Why should professionals or students join LSA?
Professionals and students need to share their work with other like-minded individuals, but sociolegal scholars don’t always have such people available in their immediate academic communities, especially campuses that lack law schools. LSA was suggested to me by attorneys I interviewed for my book Gay Fathers, Twin Sons, whose work directly pertains to law and society. Coming from a psychology department, I had been unaware that such an association existed, but LSA ended up being perfect for my own interests.
Learn more about Nancy Segal, her many publications, awards, and involvement with academic organizations here.