Kari Emilsen

Kari Emilsen is a Professor at Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education (DMMH) in the Department of Science, Nature and Social Sciences, where she has held academic positions since 1995. She was promoted to Professor (Dosent) in 2016 after serving as Associate Professor (2008-2016) and Assistant Professor (1997-2008). She maintains additional roles including Researcher at Eastern Norway Research Institute (2017-2019) and R&D administration staff at DMMH (2017-present).

Her research focuses on gender dynamics in early childhood education, particularly:

• Recruitment and retention of male kindergarten teachers
• Gender equality and equity pedagogical practices
• Children's rights and protection from violence
• Dropout patterns in kindergarten teacher education
• Nature/outdoor kindergarten staffing models

She leads international research collaborations through EECERA's Gender Balance Special Interest Group.

Her publications emphasize practical applications of gender theory in ECEC settings, with recent work exploring innovative recruitment strategies, equitable pedagogical frameworks, and systemic approaches to child protection. She has led projects including 'Career Trajectories of Men in ECEC' and developed the resource website www.mennibarnehagen.no.