Community Engaged Scholarship (CES) Resource Center on Community Engaged Scholarship: ReCCES

Forms of Community-University Engagement CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Building academic-community relations Volunteering for community benefit Interning with local organizations COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING Academic-beneficial volunteering Links coursework to community COMMUNITY ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP Meets rigorous academic standards Emphasis on mutually beneficial research (academic - community)

What is “scholarship” in this context? Some definitions: Learning; knowledge acquired by study The methods, discipline, and attainments of a scholar or scholars; Knowledge resulting from study and research in a particular field. Academic achievement, erudition, learning

Community Research Relationships Community Research Relationships Transforming the Nature of Research and Development Communities Institutes of Higher Education Support Organizations Shared Vision & Outcomes

Principles of Community Engaged Scholarship

z 6 · Breaks new ground in the discipline Answers significant questions in the discipline Is reviewed and validated by qualified peers in the discipline Is based on a solid theoretical basis …and has a direct application to broader public issues …which have relevance to community or public issues …and members of the community …that takes into account community priorities Extending traditional scholarship through engaged scholarship

z 7 · Applies appropriate investigative methods Is disseminated to appropriate audiences Makes significant advances in knowledge and understanding of the discipline …which are appropriate to community conditions and resources …that can benefit from community participation …in a manner that community can understand and use …and informs public social issues …contributes to the application of knowledge to address community priorities

z 8 · History of CES at UC Merced and Project Examples COMMUNITY PARTNER: Ana Pagan, Merced County Human Services Agency (HSA) Director, Jane Norwood (HSA), Last Hope Animal Kingdom (an animal rescue organization in Atwater), among other community organizations UNIVERSITY PARTNER: Linda Cameron, UCM health psychology faculty member and Health Psychology graduate student Erik Buchholz PROJECT: “Breaking the Cycle of Violence” which includes humane education programs, animal therapy, the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence, and animal assisted therapy to help youth in the foster system.

z 9 · CES Project Examples COMMUNITY PARTNER: Donna Alley, Superintendent Le Grand Union High School District PROJECT: Student learning outcomes and the use of iPads. (entire school uses iPads instead of traditional textbooks) Rudy Ortiz, Biology, School Natural Sciences: Partnership between Merced High School on a project around Adolescent Obesity in Merced with a focus on Latinos. · Gregg Camfield, Literature, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Partnership with Angels Camp Museum in updating the Mark Twain exhibit

How to get involved with community-engaged research? Get a general sense of what kind of research you are interested in; for example, through the research methodology classes you take for your major/minor. Get to know faculty who are working in your areas of interest. Visit office hours. Note, faculty may want to know you as a student before bringing you onto their research projects. Sometimes classroom case studies, etc. can be extended into the real world; classroom assignments can be extended into longer-term research projects.

Consider a senior thesis that is based on community-engaged research. Attend research talks and conferences on campus to make connections with faculty, graduate and undergraduate students who are already working on projects, i.e. network. Contact Geneva Skram, community coordinator, about potential projects.

Remember Even student research that involves human subjects may need IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval from the UCM Office of Research Apply best practices in community-engaged research, for example, develop a project that is of interest and benefit to community and have a plan to share the results of your research with the community. (The Matrix) As an undergraduate you can find opportunities to present your research in conferences on campus or in academic professional meetings. As an undergraduate you can find opportunities to author or co- author and publish articles or reports based on the research.

What is ReCCES? RE source C enter for C ommunity E ngaged S cholarship A resource center which helps students, faculty, staff, and community members work together toward common research goals. The goal is to increase the effectiveness of higher education and address important community concerns.

How can I benefit?  Improve your skills in research and grantmaking through community partnerships  Grow your network with faculty, students, and community decision makers  Facilitate your existing or emerging research to align with the interests in CES from federal and philanthropic grantmakers  Learn how to promote community related research and projects into your professional development and career goals

What resources are provided?  One-on-one or group consultation for your interests and ideas  Matchmaking with faculty, community members, and students to support your interests  Access to advisors, training/reference materials, assistance with grant and publication preparation  Opportunities for social and professional networking events

LIVE CES Project Testimonials from Students

Contact Us for More Info! Geneva Skram Coordinator, ReCCES SSM 365 Visit: communityresearch.ucmerced.edu Thank You!