Kaitlyn Harper

Smiling woman with short brown hair in denim shirt against leafy green background (photo)

Position Title
Assistant Researcher

She/Her/Hers
3148 Meyer Hall
Bio

Dr. Harper's research focuses on improving food security and nutrition and reducing wasted food in the U.S. food system. She uses qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, and partners with community organizations, school districts, and food banks to design and evaluate interventions that improve diet quality and food access. Her work includes evaluating diet quality and food access in K-12 schools, including strategies to improve food quality and divert wasted food in school cafeterias and pantries.

Education and Degree(s)
  • B.S., Biology, Pacific University Oregon
  • M.A., Urban Education, Loyola Marymount University
  • M.S., Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
  • Ph.D., Human Nutrition, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Publications
  • Centering lived experience in the study of food justice
    Journal Article | Harper, K. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 15, 383-385.
  • Evaluating school-based food pantries using a health equity perspective
    Journal Article | Harper, K., Nichole Espineli, N., Neff, R., Shah, T. Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development, 14, 1-30. 10.5304/jafscd.2025.144.012
  • Evaluating school-based food pantries using a health equity perspective
    Journal Article | Harper, K., Espineli, N., Neff, R., Shah, T. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14, 279-308.
  • Methods for using worker-centered research to improve food donation and reduce wasted food in a grocery retail setting
    Journal Article | Harper, K., Espat, S., Davis, L., Labruto, N., Neff, R. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1609717. 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1609717
  • Empowering Youth in Food Security: A Case Study of a Youth-Led Food Pantry in Baltimore
    Journal Article | Harper, K., Tynes, K., McClain, D. Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 35, 196-202.
  • See publications and more on Aggie Experts: https://experts.ucdavis.edu/expert/F4kDNSMr