Molly Harney is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her primary teaching responsibilities are in the Early Childhood Studies and Early Childhood Special Education program. Her teaching and research focus include early brain development, cognitive development, emotional development, attachment theory, childhood adversity, trauma informed care, and early childhood special education. Her past experiences include early childhood education teacher, parent educator, early childhood special education teacher, and childcare center director. She has worked with children and families in a teen parent program, Head Start programs, corporate childcare, and public-school programs. She is currently engaged in a project focused on supporting women impacted by trauma and homelessness in Duluth and has been fortunate to partners with some of the women to write Minnesota Department of Human Service curriculum for childcare providers. The curriculum is under revision for a second edition and addresses homelessness and the impacts of the adversities children and families face.
Molly’s research in the areas of early brain development and the impact of quality care has been presented both nationally and internationally. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Parent Education, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Studies.
