Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 3.06 Economic Development: University Engagement and Community Development
Session Abstract or Summary
This session will explore ways in which students and faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville are engaging Appalachian communities through research and service learning efforts to promote community and economic development. It will illustrate new and sustained efforts that are helping address regional and local issues while providing important learning opportunities for students, faculty, and research staff.
The panel will involve four distinct case studies related Appalachian engagement and development. These will include a student perspective on UT’s participation in the Appalachian Teaching Project, both student and faculty experiences conducting innovative asset-based development research in Appalachian communities, and an introduction to UT’s Smart Communities Initiative, a large and ambitious engagement effort modeled after a similar program at the University of Oregon.
The panel will discuss the challenges and rewards of conducting community-based research and instruction at a major research institution, identify best practices, and highlight new and innovative approaches to service learning and community and economic development.
Presentation #1 Title
Carpe Noctem: Night Sky Economic Development in Calhoun County, West Virginia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This session, presented by will discuss ongoing efforts by the University of Tennessee and Fairmont State University to develop the Calhoun County Starpark, a night-sky destination located in a rural and economically distressed West Virginia County. Since 2012, researchers from the University of Tennessee have been working with residents of Calhoun County, West Virginia to promote night sky tourism and develop an astronomical destination attraction, the Calhoun County Starpark. Beginning with asset-based development research conducted for the Appalachian Regional Commission from 2009-2012, UT researchers and community members identified darkness as a possible development opportunity. After conducting market research, including a survey of more than 300 amateur astronomers, UT researchers have developed a partnership with local stakeholders, regional astronomy groups, and Fairmont State University to craft a vision and preliminary plan for the proposed site. Planning activities included a day-long workshop and design charrette with local residents and astronomers. The session, facilitated by faculty, staff, and students from both Fairmont State and UT included a mini “star-party” and resulted in both policy and design ideas for the proposed facility. The presentation will discuss the challenges posed working with residents of a small and economically distressed community, findings related to night-sky tourism development, and design and policy considerations being developed and employed to protect an important and diminishing resource - darkness.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Tim Ezzell is a research scientist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he also teaches in the Political Science Department's Masters of Public Policy and Administration program.
Presentation #2 Title
Sustainable Innovations in the Copper Basin: A Case Study of the Appalachian Teaching Project
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Sustainable Communities Class in conjunction with the Copper Basin Teaching and Learning Center worked together in the fall of 2014 to create a unique service learning opportunity that mobilized an entire community. We collectively pursued a civic crowdfunding project for the implementation of 3D-printing technology into the Copper Basin Teaching and Learning Center curriculum. This experience mobilized UT-Knoxville students as well as Copper Basin citizens around a mutual goal which resulted in many findings along the way for how rural communities may pursue crowdfunding opportunities in the future. Our findings were presented to the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington D.C. and have been summarized in a presentation, report, and brochure available to Appalachian communities interested in pursuing civic crowdfunding. Additionally, the successful crowdfunding project resulted in a 3D printer and supplies presented to the Copper Basing Teaching and Learning Center which will serve as the basis for new 3D-printed K-12 curriculum for Copper Basin students. We present our findings here in addition to discussing the potential for civic crowdfunding in rural areas, and the opportunities and challenges that were experienced in mobilizing a rural community around a crowdfunding platform in support of an emerging technology. Our findings indicate that there is tremendous room for innovation in rural Appalachian communities, and civic crowdfunding is a useful tool to help realize community goals, projects, and plans.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Kassie Ernst is a graduate student with the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her research focuses on climate change decision-making and planning for communities and public land agencies. She came to Appalachia in 2008 as a Main Street Manager for Middlesboro, Kentucky and has worked within the region on different community engagement projects ever since.
Presentation #3 Title
Get Yer Corn From a Jar: Exploring the Modern Moonshine Movement in America
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
Paradigmatic imagery surrounding moonshine stems from a deep-rooted history of moonshine contradictions, focused in the mountains of Central Appalachia. However focusing on imagining a region that has long been labeled as outcasts or others in American society, Appalachia is now emerging into American society in quite a different way. The recent legalization of moonshine distilling that came into law in 2009 in Tennessee has positioned Appalachia as a primary supplier for demand in a growing new market. Classic issues in Appalachia such as othering, cultural reproduction, livelihood strategies, and identities all can be examined through the moonshine lens. However, recent and past literature surrounding moonshine still looks at the topic from a historical perspective. With the recent shift in legalized moonshine production in the state of Tennessee and other states, it is important to explore the role of moonshine in shaping and molding current social issues. Using moonshine as a tool of navigation I will explore the shift in place-based marketing tourism, as well as attempt to understand what role moonshine plays in Central Appalachia. This paper aims to introduce moonshine and all of its importance in current discussions of Appalachian issues such as tourism development, place-identity marketing, and commodification of stereotypes. It further stands to assert moonshine as a legitimate topic in academic literature and serves as an excellent avenue for evaluating lots of different overlapping issues in human geography, Tennessee and the Appalachian region.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Helen Rosko is a graduate student (MS) in the department of geography at the University of Tennessee. Her research focuses on place-based promotion and identity constructions and vulnerabilities in Central Appalachia. Helen first became interested in discourse on Appalachia as she worked for the Appalachia Service Project (based in Johnson City,TN) while as both an undergraduate and graduate
Presentation #4 Title
The Smart Communities Initiative: A New Model for University Engagement and Service Learning
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
This presentation will illustrate the 2014-15 pilot year accomplishments of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Smart Communities Initiative (SCI) in collaboration with their first city partner, Cleveland, TN. Attendees will hear an overview of the program format, which engages 400-600 students across campus in service-learning projects with one city or county partner each academic year. They will hear highlights from the twenty courses participating in the pilot year, which took on projects including 1) proposing public transit route changes to increase employment , 2) developing and testing a mechanism to measure public housing conditions, and 3) examining the feasibility of a seasonal ice skating rink as a means to boost winter revenues for downtown businesses. Finally, the presenter will discuss the strengths and challenges of the SCI program model as a means for engaging students in meaningful change across the Appalachian region.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Kelly Ellenburg serves as the University’s Campus Coordinator for Service-Learning. Her position involves directing a wide range of institutional efforts related to service-learning and serving as a gateway for community involvement with UT courses. In addition to managing the Smart Communities Initiative, Kelly also chairs the UT Service-Learning Steering Committee, which is working to build the profile and capacity of service-learning across campus through initiatives such as the “S” course designation and faculty spotlighting efforts.
Carpe Noctem: Night Sky Economic Development in Calhoun County, West Virginia
This session, presented by will discuss ongoing efforts by the University of Tennessee and Fairmont State University to develop the Calhoun County Starpark, a night-sky destination located in a rural and economically distressed West Virginia County. Since 2012, researchers from the University of Tennessee have been working with residents of Calhoun County, West Virginia to promote night sky tourism and develop an astronomical destination attraction, the Calhoun County Starpark. Beginning with asset-based development research conducted for the Appalachian Regional Commission from 2009-2012, UT researchers and community members identified darkness as a possible development opportunity. After conducting market research, including a survey of more than 300 amateur astronomers, UT researchers have developed a partnership with local stakeholders, regional astronomy groups, and Fairmont State University to craft a vision and preliminary plan for the proposed site. Planning activities included a day-long workshop and design charrette with local residents and astronomers. The session, facilitated by faculty, staff, and students from both Fairmont State and UT included a mini “star-party” and resulted in both policy and design ideas for the proposed facility. The presentation will discuss the challenges posed working with residents of a small and economically distressed community, findings related to night-sky tourism development, and design and policy considerations being developed and employed to protect an important and diminishing resource - darkness.
