Hi, I’m Dr. Kimberly Horn!
Currently at Virginia Tech, I’m a professor, scientist, and author. Over the last three decades, I’ve devoted myself to helping people become happier and healthier.
Your trusted guide through complex social terrain™
What is Social Terrain™? Think of social terrain as the vast and varied landscape of human relationships and interactions. It's about the different settings and situations where we connect with others—whether that's with friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers. Navigating this terrain involves understanding the complexities and nuances of our interactions, the challenges we face, and the opportunities to form meaningful connections.
Just as navigating a physical landscape requires skills like reading a map or recognizing landmarks, navigating our social landscape requires certain skills too. The good news? By enhancing these skills, we can build stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling relationships in every area and stage of our lives.
My mission is simple: to guide people toward meaningful connections as a celebrated part of everyday life.
Navigating connections has always been hard, but post-COVID-19, it’s even more daunting.
We all got used to sticking to ourselves. Now, reintroducing closeness into our lives can be challenging. Modern life doesn't make it any easier.
This isolation is taking a toll. It's hard to go a week without encountering a news post about the loneliness epidemic or a magazine piece on how to make friends as an adult.
We are aware of the loneliness issue, but solutions seem hard to act on.
Opening ourselves up to new or deeper relationships isn't easy. Unfortunately, a "how to be vulnerable" class is not a part of our formal education—yet.
In my new book, Friends Matter, For Life, I offer a fresh approach with practical framework to brighten human connections and ease loneliness. Going beyond 'how-to' articles, my guidance is grounded in science, deep understanding, and personal, authentic insights.
I hope you'll allow me to be your friend and trusted guide as we journey together through this social terrain™ toward deeper connections.
Friendships have always mattered to me.
Let me share a story with you. A dear friend, whom I've known for nearly 50 years, recently surprised me by sharing a poem I wrote to her when we were just 16—it was titled “What a friend!” I had framed it, along with a hand-drawn pencil sketch. To my amazement, she kept it all these years! Even then, I suppose I understood the power and joy of connecting with friends and expressing my gratitude and love for them.
Though that memory is from long ago, those sentiments remain true today. I've always believed that friends are the family we choose.
As a professor and research psychologist, I've been on a mission to help people lead healthier, happier, and more connected lives.
In my journey to improve people's well-being, I've come to appreciate even more deeply the profound impact that meaningful relationships have on our happiness, health, and overall sense of fulfillment. Connection and social support are strong predictors of our overall health. Yet, I also know how challenging is to cultivate these connections, especially in today's world, where differences often take center stage.
That's why I wrote Friends Matter, For Life. It's more than just a book—it's a blueprint for developing friendships that elevate our happiness. It's about discovering where and how we connect with others, focusing on our commonalities rather than our differences.
A little more about me: I call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home, where I live with my spouse and our adorable (and spoiled!) fluffy doodle.
While I enjoy exploring the city's arts, culture, and food scenes, my passion also lies in my kitchen, where I find pleasure in cooking for friends and family. Recently, I've taken up the art of Kamado-style outdoor cooking, which has added an exciting new “flare” to my culinary adventures.
Staying active is important to me, both physically and mentally. I try to fit in workouts most days, and I love biking along scenic trails or paddling on tranquil lake waters. A family of sports enthusiasts, we also love cheering on our favorite teams—Go Steelers! Especially in life's busyness, I find solace in simple joys—like tending to my "secret garden," a peaceful sanctuary that refreshes my spirit and sparks my creativity.
Few things rejuvenate me more than fresh air, sunshine, and being near the water.
After nearly 30 years as a professor and research psychologist, here's a glimpse into my journey:
Authored nearly 160 health publications, including insightful guidebooks.
Led over 50 funded health research projects.
Proudly recognized among Virginia's Top 50 Women Leaders in 2023, 2024.
Honored with the distinguished Robert C. Byrd named professorship at West Virginia University.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame and esteemed as a distinguished alumna of West Virginia University.
Awarded the prestigious Centers for Disease Control Award of Research Innovation.
Featured in prominent media outlets like TIME, CNN, and The New York Times.
Privileged to speak about health, ranging from town hall meetings to international conferences.
Read my first book:
Friends Matter, For Life
A blueprint for cultivating deeper connections with others (and yourself!) using 8 practical tenets.
