Research Is Not Enough: Public Engagement and the Citizen Scholar

Department seminar with speaker Philip Cohen, University of Maryland.

All members of the Department of Sociology and research staff from across the faculty are invited to attend.

Abstract

What is the role of professional scholars in civic life? How and why should academics seek to reach audiences beyond their disciplines and institutions? Must there be tension between advancing along an academic career path and taking part in public conversations, or can these goals reinforce each other? Drawing from personal experience and in-depth research, this talk features straightforward advice that acknowledges professional risks as well as rewards. Cohen embraces the reciprocal relationship between professional scholarship and active citizenship, arguing that aligning personal and vocational identities can enhance both public and academic contributions. He explores intellectual work on social media, science communication, political activism, and how to build trust while developing a public intellectual identity (and his experience suing President Trump for blocking him on Twitter - and winning).