Award for Community-Engaged Scholarship

Community-engaged scholarship resonates with the spirit and intent of the Wisconsin Idea and even can be said to advance the Wisconsin Idea to a new level of partnership and reciprocity.

The broad concept of engagement stipulates that universities should go beyond the traditional one-way transmission of knowledge to society by partnering with their communities in addressing societal ills and creating positive and sustainable change. Specifically, community-engaged scholarship involves the creation of knowledge for public purposes through a reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnership with the public itself.  Work of this nature is advanced through the integration of teaching, research and creativity, and service.

Each year, the School of Education Award for Community-Engaged Scholarship is presented to an SOE faculty member; staff member; or team in recognition of work that embraces the principles of community-engaged scholarship. Recipients receive a $1,000 cash reward, made possible by gifts from the School’s alumni, in support of their community-engaged scholarship.

Eligibility: Any member of the School of Education faculty or staff leading an exemplary community-engaged scholarship effort (which also may include a team of individuals such as students and members of the community), is eligible for this award.  Individual nominees or team leaders must have at least a half-time appointment in the School.

Criteria & Nomination Process:

Nomination packets must include:

• A letter of nomination that addresses how the nominee’s efforts:

  • Contributed to the public good or addressed societal issues;
  • Advanced scholarly research and creative activity;
  • Demonstrated exemplary partnership practices;
  • Was sustained or institutionalized; and
  • Achieved one or more of the following:
  • Enhanced curriculum, teaching, and learning
  • Prepared educated, engaged citizens
  • Strengthened democratic values and civic responsibility
• A letter of support from a community partner that provides a detailed analysis of the impact of the work on the community
• CV or resume for each nominee

*Neither the Dean nor any member of the review committee may nominate or write letters of support.

Submission:

Submit nominations packets to Ashley Voss by Monday, February 27, 2012.
Nominations may be submitted electronically to avoss@wisc.edu or in person/by mail to the External Relations Office - 181 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706.

Review and Selection:

Packets will be reviewed by a committee of faculty, staff, and community partners appointed by Dean Julie Underwood.  Recipients will be informed in early March and will be recognized at an awards ceremony on April 11, 2012 in the Wisconsin Idea Room. 

All faculty and staff members in the School are invited to attend the event, which will honor other faculty, staff, and classified award recipients from throughout the School.