Kait Farrell

Kait Farrell

Director of Domestic Field Study

Kaitlin J. “Kait” Farrell is the director of Domestic Field Study. Domestic field study programs provide students with course-based, off-campus experiential learning opportunities throughout the United States. These faculty-led programs are offered by schools and colleges across campus and allow students to make progress toward their degree while immersing themselves in place-based learning.

As the director of DFS, Kait supports current programs and their directors and collaborates with faculty and staff across campus to develop and launch new US-based study away programs. In addition, Kait works to expand the visibility of DFS programs across campus and increase student participation in DFS programs.

Dr. Farrell first got involved in domestic field programs while pursuing her Ph.D. in the Odum School of Ecology at UGA. During summer 2016, she had the opportunity to teach two ecology courses as part of the UGA Interdisciplinary Field Program. Spending four weeks living and learning with students that summer convinced Kait that these types of immersive, off-campus courses offered unique and transformational experiential learning opportunities for students as well as course instructors. She has continued her involvement with IFP ever since.

After completing a postdoc at Virginia Tech, Kait returned to UGA in 2019 to join the faculty of the Odum School as an academic professional and the ecology instructional lab coordinator. While in this role, she developed and coordinated lab curricula for two large-enrollment 1000- and 3000-level ecology lab courses while mentoring and training graduate teaching assistants. In August 2023, Dr. Farrell transitioned to a lecturer role in the Odum School, where she now teaches courses focused on building students’ quantitative skills and data literacy.

Kait was appointed as the inaugural Director of DFS in October 2022. In her first year, she launched a Domestic Field Study Advisory Council of DFS program directors, instructors, and program support staff to provide feedback about DFS-related policies and processes. In addition, Kait developed and led an intensive workshop and training series for new program directors–the Domestic Field Study Fellows Program. The first cohort of DFS Fellows met in June 2023 to develop and plan new DFS programs that will launch in 2024.

Kait is always open to hearing from faculty with new DFS program ideas and from students who want to learn more about how DFS can enrich their UGA experience; please email or visit dfs.uga.edu to get in touch.

Office: 138 Ecology
Phone: 706-542-2968
Email: [email protected]


The Latest News & Announcements

Infographic about incoming Class of 2028
UGA Admits Class of 2028

The University of Georgia announced final admissions decisions for the Class of 2028 on March 15. UGA received more than […]

Terrell Hall exterior in the spring.
UGA extends commitment deadline for incoming Georgia Residents

Extension provides flexibility to students as they evaluate financial aid packages The University of Georgia is extending its commitment deadline […]

The 2024 Road Dawgs “Call the Dawgs” on stage at one of the high schools they visited over the week.
Road Dawgs inspire Georgia students to consider college

This spring break, current students from across the University of Georgia came together to form the 2024 Road Dawgs crew, […]

Empowering Student & Faculty Success

From providing student academic services to empowering teachers, the Office of Instruction is responsible for a wide range of initiatives that further advance the University of Georgia into the national spotlight as one of the top performing universities in the nation.

Give Now Contact Us