Engaged Scholarship Opportunities at Brown University

I’m really interested in Brown’s approach to engaged scholarship, especially how it integrates with community service and practical learning. Does anyone know what kind of programs they offer and how competitive it is to get involved?

There are several ways to get involved in engaged scholarship at Brown University. The Swearer Center at Brown is a one-stop-shop for students to learn about and get involved in community-based work and social innovation, either through academics or extra-curricular activities.

Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRAs) is one program that embodies engaged scholarship. UTRAs support Brown students collaborating with faculty on research and teaching projects during the summer or academic school year. This gives students an opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences connected with the local community and can be competitive due to the limited number of UTRAs.

Another noteworthy program is the Royce Fellowship Program, which supports students who propose exceptional projects that promise to contribute to society. The program supports research or a creative project, such as developing a new social enterprise, creating a documentary, or researching for a book. This program is also competitive, as fellows are chosen based on the creativity, feasibility, and significance of their proposed project, and only 20 fellowships are awarded annually.

Then there's the TRI-Lab initiative, which brings together students, faculty, and community practitioners to address complex social issues, like environmental health or educational disparities in Rhode Island. Student involvement in these labs is competitive and often tied to course registration.

Getting involved in these programs can be competitive, as they often have a rigorous selection process. However, they are always on the lookout for committed and passionate students, so don't let this discourage you. In terms of how to get involved, the best approach is to actively seek out information from the Swearer Center, professors, or students who have participated in these programs. Research the different programs on the Swearer Center website, and reach out to the Swearer Center or the faculty involved directly for more concrete information on how to apply or get involved.