What Happens When Scholars Become Activists: Possibilities and Perils

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Scholar-activists, who continue to push for the dismantling of white supremacy, settler colonialism, and all of their manifestations, confront pressing issues from the state-sanctioned shooting of unarmed Black individuals to the protection of Indigenous land and water. Some straddle the roles of academic and organizational leader; protest and advocate for change locally, nationally, and internationally; support colleagues and students; and offer profound commentary and research to address pervasive inequities. In this session, scholar-activists will address how scholar-activism originates, explore the possibilities and drawbacks of scholar-activism, consider how scholar activism can be sustained through a career, and reflect on potential outcomes when scholar-activists courageously address pressing issues.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Margaret J. Maaka, University of Hawaii - Manoa

Participants

• Kahele Dukelow, University of Hawai‘i Maui College

• Keona K. Ervin, University of Missouri

• Jon Hale, Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• S Kaleikoa Kaeo, University of Hawai‘i Maui College

• Adrienne Keene, Brown University

• Jamila Lyiscott, University of Massachusetts – Amherst

• Django Paris, University of Washington

Discussants

• Dionne Danns, Indiana University

• Keisha L. Green, University of Massachusetts - Amherst