Reflections on the insularity of academic research: Editorial

Public, community-engaged research can provide meaningful ways for academia to build connections within their communities, demonstrate the value of their expertise, and combat declining trust, writes Karin Fischer in an editorial for the . While postsecondary leaders may see the benefits of community-engaged research, Fischer argues that current institutional policies can discourage the practice. The author argues that both campus cultures and formal policies must change to encourage the benefits of community-engaged research and avoid the insularity of academia. Fischer concludes that this could be accomplished by reviewing tenure or promotion policies to ensure they prioritize public engagement efforts, developing graduate-school courses on community-engaged research, and establishing professional networks to encourage community collaboration.