Sociologists and social scientists more broadly have long considered the extent to which their role was not simply to produce new knowledge, but to also put that knowledge to use for social good. Writing in the wake of World War II, Max Horkheimer warned that we cannot simply assume society will naturally evolve toward a more just and fair form of social organization. He called on academics to recognize their obligation to unify theory and practice for social transformation. Long before Horkheimer, Jane Addams at Hull House and W.E.B. Du Bois in the Atlanta School were working for social transformation. But the events around us today—an ongoing global pandemic, economic disruptions that are rapidly expanding the already yawning gap between the ultrawealthy and the poor, increasing awareness of systemic violence aimed at people of color, and an accelerating climate crisis—create fresh urgency for sociologists, dare I say even an imperative, to work for social transformation.
The authors in this issue of Footnotes invite us to consider community-engaged scholarship as a method for unifying theory and practice in sociology (see Doug Hartman and Rebecca London in particular, but this theme is evident throughout the articles in this issue). Whether they call it participatory action research, community-engaged research, community-engaged sociology, or any one of various other monikers, there are some common threads: the recognition that essential expertise resides both inside and beyond the academy; that gaps in the literature are not the only, nor necessarily the best, signals of importance when identifying research questions; that the validity and reliability of sociological knowledge production can be enhanced by active engagement and collaboration between academics and communities throughout the research process; and that sociologists and communities have far greater potential to put social change in motion by working together than either would alone.
The Many Uses of Community-Engaged Sociology
The articles here provide stunning examples of real and tangible good emerging from community-engaged sociology, including: reducing food insecurity (Leslie Hossfeld); improving K-12 science education (Julia McQuillan); adding a just cause eviction measure to a city ballot (Miriam Greenberg); helping keep children out of the foster care system in the event of parent’s deportation (Nancy Plankey-Videla); and moving beyond the academic deficit model to empower first-generation college students to recognize the value and importance of their experience and knowledge (Steven McKay).
The articles here also provide insight into ways community-engaged scholarship responds to a variety of pressing current issues within higher education and the discipline of sociology. At a time when the value of science and higher education is being challenged, scholars’ collaborations with communities have reduced a “town-gown divide” and demonstrated a public institution’s mission at work (Miriam Greenberg), and improved local perceptions of a small private college (Jan Lin ). They also demonstrate the fascinating intersections of community-engaged scholarship with public sociology, introducing broad ranges of people to the discipline of sociology and its contributions, including elected officials, television producers, museum visitors, voters, community members in need, and students. And while many of the articles here mention the impact of community-engaged scholarship on undergraduates (including Steven McKay and Elizabeth Borland), it also has the potential to improve graduate education. Increasingly, graduate students in sociology need to be prepared for multiple career paths within academia and beyond it. Working directly with community organizations on projects designed and implemented by teams to respond to pressing current issues can be valuable preparation for careers in the nonprofit, public, and even for-profit sectors (Julia McQuillan et. al).
ASA research has long demonstrated the “leaky professional pipeline” in academia for BIPOC sociologists. Part of the underlying issue may be the disconnect between social impact and traditional forms of research. The search for fulfillment and the desire to conduct research that makes a difference motivates some BIPOC scholars to leave academia. Community-engaged scholarship motivated one of the authors in this issue to stay (Cameron Whitley) and has provided a deep sense of professional satisfaction for many others. Indeed, community-engaged scholarship may have a critical role to play in promoting inclusive excellence in our discipline moving forward.
An Essential Scholarship
The fact that community-engaged scholarship has a clear historical precedent in sociology, combined with the multiple benefits that can accrue to the discipline, institutions, and communities through its practice, begs the question: Why is this work not more fully embraced within our departments (Greg Squires)? Why are young scholars regularly advised to wait until they have tenure before venturing into this realm? Why do leading sociology departments and the prestigious institutions where they are located continue to use narrow definitions of scholarly accomplishment for promotion and tenure? Why are sociologists with extensive experience using sociological theories and methods in practice settings not eagerly recruited by sociology departments everywhere as valuable additions to their faculty?
In these tumultuous times, it is encouraging that we are seeing signs of change, including the advent of the Carnegie Elective Community Engagement Classification, which more than 300 institutions worldwide have now received, and the adoption of community-engaged scholarship criteria for promotion and tenure at institutions including: University of California, Berkeley; University of Minnesota; University of North Carolina; and Syracuse University. Together, the articles in this issue of Footnotes make the case for supporting and expanding this trend. They demonstrate that community-engaged scholarship is a valid methodological approach within the sociological toolbox, one that, when used effectively, is rooted in sociological literature, scientifically rigorous, subject to peer review, and essential to the discipline—and perhaps the world.
