Kathleen Gallagher

Kathleen (Kate) Gallagher, Ph.D. is the Director of the Early Childhood Education Institute at the University of Oklahoma and Professor of Education and George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair. Her research is applied and focused on the role of social relationships in children’s development and learning. Dr. Gallagher forges community and research-practice partnerships to transform how systems enact practices and policies to support young children, their families, and early childhood professionals. Her recent projects include evaluating statewide systems efforts and exploring families’ access to quality child care. Kate was an early childhood teacher and teacher educator, and directed nationally accredited early childhood programs. She completed her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, M.A. in Education Foundations and Policy at Marquette University, and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Situated on the campus of The University of Oklahoma at Tulsa, the Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) is an applied research center focused on understanding and advancing access and opportunity for young children and families. Our team of researchers engages in research-practice partnerships, bringing expertise in early care and education, early childhood workforce, and cutting-edge approaches to examine practices and policies that lead to thriving children, families, and communities.  We partner with community agencies and researchers from affiliated fields to infuse multiple and interdisciplinary perspectives. https://www.ou.edu/tulsa/early-childhood-education-institute