Dr. Farr is a sociolinguist and linguistic anthropologist. Her research and writing analyze the use of oral language and literacy in daily life, showing how particular ways of using language and literacy construct distinct cultural identities and reveal different underlying ideologies, or belief systems. Since local community identities and ideologies can conflict with the identities and ideologies taught with academic literacy, this research has important implications for schooling.

Before retiring, Dr. Farr was a Professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, a core faculty member of Language, Education & Society (LES), and a professor in the Department of English. She taught courses on the ethnography of communication, bilingualism and biliteracy, and language and literacy in multicultural settings.