Kara 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 multi-disciplinary 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 a number of 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.