79.040 - Making Things Happen: Interdisciplinary Research That Builds Strategic Connections With Community

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Action research driven by strategic community connections has the potential to offer rich understandings and mutual benefits to all stakeholders involved. This symposium will generate cross-site conversations with researchers entrenched in democracy-based social justice work in their communities. Three paper presentations across varied research sites will provide an overview of projects focused on praxis and driven by community-engaged literacies and partnerships. Then, the session will segue into a deep dive discussion on considerations for building sustainable, trusting, multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnerships with communities long term. The session will highlight researchers’ intentional moves to drive positive change and promote equity in their communities. This work is done with-- not for, or to-- local community members.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Educators for Social Justice

Chair

• Christy Wessel-Powell, Purdue University

Papers

• Engaging Community: Privileging Local Wisdom, Expertise, and Cultural Wealth in the Development of Teachers - Eva M. Zygmunt, Ball State University; Kristin Cipollone, Ball State University; Susan Tancock, Ball State University; Patricia Clark, Ball State University

• Productive Confrontations: School-Community Work in the Rural Rust Belt - Alexandra Panos, University of South Florida

• A Year of Public Learning and Democratic Action: The Community Committee for Educational Equity - Christy Wessel-Powell, Purdue University; Regina Marie Weir, Indiana University

Discussant

• Gerald Campano, University of Pennsylvania