Alisha Hardman

Dr. Hardman's research interests center on applied family science with a strong emphasis on prevention of relational trauma and promotion of relational health. Her work focuses on family life education methodology, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-informed programs that translate family science research into practical strategies to support children, parents, and families in real-world contexts. A central area of her scholarship examines traumatic stress responses in children and families, with particular attention to how adversity shapes parentchild relationships and overall family functioning. Through her applied research and program evaluation, Dr. Hardman is committed to advancing the translation of research into practice by promoting safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for children as critical protective factors against the short- and long-term effects of stress and trauma. Her research agenda is closely informed by her outreach and community engagement work, particularly in parenting education within the context of Extension, reflecting a reciprocal approach in which community-based practice both grounds and extends scholarly inquiry.