Media Pitching for Academics (how to become a source)
If you are a scholar interested in learning about media pitching for academics, you’re in the right place! This introduction post covers how researchers and scholars can pitch a journalist and/or editor to be a source. The goal here is two-fold: to pitch story ideas (e.g., your published research, your expertise) to targeted members of […]
What is public scholarship?
What is public scholarship? What does it mean to be a public scholar? Or a publicly engaged scholar? Or to do community engagement? These are valid questions. Thankfully, and for simplicity’s sake, I’ve counted no less than two dozen published definitions and explanations. Just try googling ‘public scholarship’ or ‘public engagement.’ Woof. Public scholarship can […]
Why do we assume the public is not interested in our research? Thoughts on the knowledge deficit model.
There is much to be said about the knowledge deficit model and its impact on how researchers and scientists think about communicating with the public. Get this: scientists more or less hold negative feelings about the public’s base scientific knowledge. To add insult to injury, researchers who already have negative views about their potential public […]
Public engagement, reappointment, tenure and promotion
The incentive structure for research faculty at institutions of higher education in the United States and beyond hinges on knowledge creation through traditional research outputs (e.g., peer reviewed articles, books, conference presentations). Research faculty are awarded reappointment, tenure and promotion based on a criteria of high productivity in research, teaching, and service. This is not […]
So you want to become a public scholar?
As you ease into your spring semester, take some time to think and reflect on your career goals, especially in relation to the impact your research is (or isn’t) making. A good place to start is checking out our webinar – So You Want to Become a Public Scholar? If you have ever wondered about… […]
my 2022 reading and inspiration list
books. The Engaged Scholar: Expanding the Impact of Academic Research in Today’s World by Andrew Hoffman is an engaging (couldn’t help myself), thought provoking, inspiring book. what the book lacks in practical advice, it makes up for it with a healthy discussion on the systemic ways in which the academia continues to trip over itself. […]
build your professional brand via social media – part I
this is part I of a two part series on building your brand via social media. part II can be viewed here. one way to establish your expertise as a public scholar is to develop and maintain a public scholarly/professional brand. a professional profile represents you, your research, and what you want the world to […]
where to begin?
the road to public engagement is fraught with road bumps but also with miles of open, beautiful road. the work is hard, time consuming, and can be thankless. but the reward can be substantial. not financially, of course. though this process could be parlayed into grant writing and consultations, among other things. what i think about, and […]
