The academy is famous for closing itself off in an ivory tower, securing its work behind jargon and high costs of access. A key goal of my academic career is to engage with the communities impacted by my research. This effort is due to a(n): 

1. Recognition that I am not all-knowing. When folks permit me to speak with and write about them, we are engaged in a mutual practice of listening and learning. 

2. Understanding that my research areas relate to key issues of national discourse and should not be inaccessible to those it impacts. Public scholarship is a practice in civic participation. 

3. Commitment to demystifying the world of academic research. There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the work scholars do because we are not transparent about our processes of research and when we do talk about our work, we rely on jargon. Communicating information should not be about demonstrating how smart you are, but focus on the engagement and the comprehension of those with whom you speak. 

PUBLIC TALKS

“Podcasting Religion: Religious Communities for the 21st Century.” 
The MacKenzie Lectureship, workshop series.
Held at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. Boulder, Colorado.
January 27, 2018.

ACADEMIC BLOGGING

“#TakeAKnee Reveals Anxiety About Nationalism.” Third Spaces Blog. November 21, 2017. 

“Inaugural (Civil) Religion.” Third Spaces Blog. February 24, 2017. 

“Kaepernick’s Protest: Revealing The Sacred Materiality of Patriotism.” Third Spaces Blog. September 10, 2016. 

PODCASTING

Religionish

The Media & Religion Podcast 
For the Center for Media, Religion, and Culture