Sara Harkness

Sara Harkness is a Professor in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) and Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut, serving as Director of the Center for Children's Healthy and Human Development (CHHD). Her work bridges social anthropology, child development, and public health, focusing on cultural influences on parenting and child development across diverse global contexts. She has conducted research in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Western Europe, and the U.S. through collaborative international projects like the International Baby Study (NIH-funded) and the International Study of Parents, Children, and Schools (Spencer Foundation-funded).

Her academic service includes roles as a Jefferson Science Fellow at USAID, advising on international development programs, and consulting for organizations like the World Health Organization and Sesame Workshop. She contributes to federal review panels and has evaluated home visitor training programs. Her leadership at CHHD involves managing seed grants and mentoring graduate students in the Graduate Certificate Program.

Recent publications emphasize cultural perspectives in developmental pediatrics and parenting practices. Research interests include parental ethnotheories (cultural beliefs about parenting), early childhood cognitive/social development, and culturally responsive healthcare policies. She collaborates internationally to translate research into actionable programs supporting global child welfare.