KSU Professors Speak at Engagement Scholarship Consortium International Conference

Dr. Paul McDaniel and other KSU faculty colleagues spoke about their community-engaged scholarship at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium International Conference.

KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 11, 2024) — Associate Professor of Geography Dr. Paul N. McDaniel and other KSU faculty colleagues spoke about their community-engaged scholarship this week at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium International Conference in Portland, Oregon. The conference, with a theme this year of “Pathways to Prosperity: Building Sustainable Futures Through Community Engagement,” is a premier gathering for interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners dedicated to community-engaged scholarship. 

In the conference’s opening plenary session on Wednesday, entitled “Leveraging Special Issues to Support Engaged Scholars and Practitioners,” Dr. McDaniel and Dr. Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Social Work and Human Services in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, were featured speakers where they discussed their forthcoming guest-edited special issue in the peer-reviewed Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship (published out of the University of Alabama). The plenary session also included other KSU faculty, including Dr. Jennifer W. Purcell, Professor of Public Administration in the School of Government and International Affairs, who is guest-editing, along with Dr. Rodriguez and others, a forthcoming special issue of the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement (published out of the University of Georgia). As Kennesaw State University is an institutional member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, which sponsors these two journals, having multiple KSU faculty currently guest editing special issues for these impactful journals is significant.

Additionally, Dr. McDaniel and Dr. Rodriguez led a roundtable discussion on Thursday, “Interdisciplinary Insights: Lessons from a Decade of Community-Engaged Research.” In this dynamic and interactive roundtable discussion, Dr. McDaniel and Dr. Rodriguez shared about challenges, opportunities, and best practices from a decade of interdisciplinary community-engaged research, scholarship, and teaching experiences. Participants explored examples of collaborative strategies and impactful outcomes for emerging scholars and educators. Through engaging interactive dialogue, they shared insights into the collaborative methodologies employed, including community-based participatory research, co-creation of knowledge, and community-driven initiatives. 

The Engagement Scholarship Consortium is a premier organization that promotes engaged scholarship and mutually beneficial university-community partnerships with the ultimate goal of societal impact and improving lives. Its mission is to advance the capacity of member institutions—faculty, staff, students, and administrators—to promote engaged scholarship in partnership with communities to benefit society through meaningful impact. The Engagement Scholarship Consortium is comprised of member institutions, such as Kennesaw State University, from across North America.