Participation Type
Workshop
Session Title
Collaborative Scholar Activist Database Creation
Session Abstract or Summary
The Scholar Activist Alliance (SAA) is a model for linking academic institutions and frontline community organizations in order for scholars to engage in research that increases the capacity of activist organizations and affects positive social change. The SAA is building a replicable model and framework for collaborative participatory research. While historically focused on communities in Appalachia shouldering the negative effects of extractive industry, the SAA is exploring additional opportunities to expand beyond the region.
Recognizing the history and continued practices of knowledge extraction in marginalized communities, the SAA seeks to directly challenge power structures that privilege “professional” knowledge over community knowledge, and view community residents and activists as experts of their own lives. The SAA fully recognizes the importance and value of research that is led, directed, and owned by the community, and supported and augmented by academic resources.
During this workshop, we will collaboratively populate an interactive database that links scholars and community groups with specific projects. We will introduce the SAA’s research justice guidelines and best practices, and co-create a timeline for the next academic year. Scholars, activists, artists, and all the combinations thereof are invited to bring their projects and ideas to the workshop.
Presentation #1 Title
Collaborative Scholar Activist Database Creation
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The Scholar Activist Alliance (SAA) is a model for linking academic institutions and frontline community organizations in order for scholars to engage in research that increases the capacity of activist organizations and affects positive social change. The SAA is building a replicable model and framework for collaborative participatory research. While historically focused on communities in Appalachia shouldering the negative effects of extractive industry, the SAA is exploring additional opportunities to expand beyond the region.
Recognizing the history and continued practices of knowledge extraction in marginalized communities, the SAA seeks to directly challenge power structures that privilege “professional” knowledge over community knowledge, and view community residents and activists as experts of their own lives. The SAA fully recognizes the importance and value of research that is led, directed, and owned by the community, and supported and augmented by academic resources.
During this workshop, we will collaboratively populate an interactive database that links scholars and community groups with specific projects. We will introduce the SAA’s research justice guidelines and best practices, and co-create a timeline for the next academic year. Scholars, activists, artists, and all the combinations thereof, are invited to bring their projects and ideas to the workshop.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Ricki Draper is an 2018-2019 Appalachian Transition Fellow with the Appalachian Citizens Law Center and Martin County Concerned Citizens. She has been involved with the Scholar Activist Alliance since 2016. Ricki is passionate about building political power, listening to stories, and believes strongly in the potentials of community organizing. She received a B.A in Social Practice and Sustainability in the Anthropology Department at Appalachian State University.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Laura Rigell hails from East Tennessee and has been involved with the SAA since 2014 when she was interning with Coal River Mountain Watch in southern West Virginia. Laura holds a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College and a Masters of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Laura is now working in Philadelphia to advance solar energy as a tool for economic and racial justice as the Solar Manager for the Philadelphia Energy Authority and an organizer with Serenity Soular.
Collaborative Scholar Activist Database Creation
The Scholar Activist Alliance (SAA) is a model for linking academic institutions and frontline community organizations in order for scholars to engage in research that increases the capacity of activist organizations and affects positive social change. The SAA is building a replicable model and framework for collaborative participatory research. While historically focused on communities in Appalachia shouldering the negative effects of extractive industry, the SAA is exploring additional opportunities to expand beyond the region.
Recognizing the history and continued practices of knowledge extraction in marginalized communities, the SAA seeks to directly challenge power structures that privilege “professional” knowledge over community knowledge, and view community residents and activists as experts of their own lives. The SAA fully recognizes the importance and value of research that is led, directed, and owned by the community, and supported and augmented by academic resources.
During this workshop, we will collaboratively populate an interactive database that links scholars and community groups with specific projects. We will introduce the SAA’s research justice guidelines and best practices, and co-create a timeline for the next academic year. Scholars, activists, artists, and all the combinations thereof, are invited to bring their projects and ideas to the workshop.
