The Undergraduate Field Experiences Research Network

Field-based educators, natural scientists, and social scientists are building the interdisciplinary Undergraduate Field Experiences Research Network (UFERN), which aims to foster effective undergraduate field learning experiences by sharing evidence-based models and practices; developing and sharing assessment tools; investigating the role of undergraduate field experiences in broadening the participation of students; and harnessing the power of a network to do research on student learning. We will discuss how to get involved in UFERN and the concept of the undergraduate field learning experience and its role as an inspirational learning experience, but also as a potential barrier to the profession of ecology.