Kathryn Barrett-Gaines

Kathryn Barrett-Gaines is a Professor of History at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She holds an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Duke University (1995) and a PhD in African History. Her career has been shaped by her academic journey, including mentorship under Mack O'Barr, which ignited her passion for Bantu linguistics. She has lived in East Africa, mastering Luganda and Swahili, and has achieved tenure and full professorship. Her teaching includes Swahili language instruction.

Her research interests focus on African History, Bantu linguistic structures, and the intersection of cultural anthropology with historical narratives. She emphasizes resilience and perseverance in academic pursuits, advising students to persist through challenges rather than viewing degrees as exclusive to 'the brilliant.'