Being a public scholar

As someone who believes in the value of community-based and participatory scholarship, finding public outlets for my research seems like a no-brainer. However, I am slow in adopting technology, and even slower to engage in social media. The idea of spending additional time in front of screens to craft a digital presence fills me with anxiety. And yet, a digital presence is just what I need to increase the impact and accessibility of my research. I want to engage with a wide audience that extends well beyond the academic community. As someone who regularly works with immigrant, refugee, and other international communities, I know that I need to find as many ways as possible to engage with my participants, my community, policy makers, and other academics.

It is with this purpose (peppered with hesitation and nervousness) that I have started to re-think the way that I engage with my online presence. This website is a first step in that direction. My hope is that it will be a place for exploration of the research process, its products, and the communities on whom it is based.