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Research Articles

Vol. 22 No. 3

Reciprocity and Scholarly Connections: Faculty Perspectives About the Role of Community Engaged Work in Their Career Vitality

Submitted
October 1, 2018
Published
2018-09-30

Abstract

This qualitative study examined 25 faculty members representing varying ranks, institutional types, disciplines, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and gender with current or recent participation in community-engaged research, service, and/or teaching. The study explored their perspectives on whether or not and, if applicable, in what ways their participation in community-engaged work influenced their vitality. For 23 of the 25 participants, community-engaged work positively affected their vitality. Interview analysis and document review revealed two aspects of this work as most significant: reciprocity (mutual benefits between faculty and community partners) and scholarly connections (integrating content expertise and community work). Implications for practice are discussed.