Operationalizing Public Scholarship: Empirical Approaches to Reimagining Academic Engagement

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 7:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Division J Section 6: Roundtable 4

Abstract

Public scholarship plays an increasingly vital role in bridging academia and society, yet its definition remains diffuse. This study addresses that gap by developing empirically grounded tools—a survey matrix and illustrative vignettes—to identify attributes and impacts of public scholars in educational contexts. Framed by a mixed-methods design and a threefold theoretical framework, this research asks: How can we define and measure the role of public scholars in ways that advance equity and engagement? The study contributes to imagining new educational futures by operationalizing public scholarship as a vehicle for inclusive knowledge co-creation. Preliminary findings provide a foundation for institutions to foster community-engaged scholarship aligned with the public good.

Authors

• Mary K. Littlepage, University of Kentucky

• Kelly D. Bradley, Marshall University