Kara Byrne, Ph.D.
Senior Research AssociateKara Byrne is a senior research associate with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute where she provides research, analysis, and facilitation of stakeholder engagement related to a broad range of current and proposed public policies.
Dr. Byrne primarily uses mixed methods, qualitative, and community-based research methods, focusing on multidisciplinary research teams and stakeholder engagement. Prior to coming to the Gardner Institute, Dr. Byrne facilitated research projects related to child traumatic stress, child welfare, eviction, and newcomer populations as a research faculty member at the College of Social Work at the University of Utah. She has overseen several grants and state contracts related to these studies, including as co-principal investigator of a Division of Child and Family Services’ study aimed at identifying racial/ethnic disproportionality in child welfare and as co-investigator on a federally funded National Child Traumatic Stress Network project. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and chapters in these areas.
Dr. Byrne holds a PhD. in Social Work from the University of Utah, a Masters in Social Work from the University of Montana, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Byrne is also a clinical social worker, having provided Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to children.