Kathryn A. Carroll
I joined the University of Central Arkansas as an Assistant Professor of Family & Consumer Sciences in August 2018. Before joining UCA, I received my Ph.D. in Consumer Behavior and Family Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At UW-Madison, I also spent five years as Lab Manager of the Behavioral Research Insights Through Experiments (BRITE) Lab.
At UCA I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in our Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) program, including a Service-Learning personal finance course. I also advise undergraduate students in our B.S. in FCS major, FCS minor, and graduate students pursuing the M.S. in FCS.
As a researcher, I use experiments and survey research to examine questions in the area of consumer decision-making. I am especially interested in consumer food choice, local food, behavioral nudges, and health interventions. I also have interests in financial decision-making and education, particularly among college students. My work is designed to help address real-world problems, with the goal of providing useful information for individuals, producers, policymakers, retailers, and other stakeholders. Recent collaborations include projects with the Arkansas Foodbank, the FUMC-Conway Food Pantry, and Arkansas Asset Builders, as well as curriculum efforts with the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE)'s Social Studies Library.
If you are a student interested in getting involved in an existing research project, feel free to contact me!
EDUCATION
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018
M.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2016
M.S. University of Delaware, 2011
B.S. University of Delaware, 2007
COURSES
Undergraduate
FACS 3372: Personal & Family Finance (Fall & Spring; Summer I)
FACS 4317: Advanced Personal & Family Finance (Spring; service-learning course)
FACS 4V30: Undergraduate Research Workshop (1 credit hr. , Spring 2019)
FACS 4V30: Community Outreach Workshop (3 credit hrs., Spring 2022)
Graduate
FACS 6309: Consumer Economics (Fall of even years)
FACS 6310: Advanced Resource Management (Summer I of odd years)
FACS 6355: Consumer Affairs (Fall of odd years)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Consumer Decision Making
Food Choice
Marketing of Consumer Products
Behavioral Nudges
Service-Learning
Financial Education
OFFICE HOURS: SPRING 2023
(Please email me, or Sign up for a time to meet HERE! ):
Mondays: 9:45-11:45 AM & 1-4:30 PM
Wednesdays: 1-3:30 PM
Other times if needed, by appointment
ADVISING: SPRING 2023
Advising for the Summer and Fall 2023 terms will begin in March! If you are on my advising list, watch for an email from me then with more info. Advance Registration will begin the week after spring break.
I am currently advising undergraduate students with the last name A-J who are pursuing the B.S. in FCS major, and M.S. in FCS students. I can also advise any student minoring in FCS. Please sign up for a time to meet during office hours (see above)!