Engagement

UMass Amherst’s mission is rooted in the land-grant purpose of research, education, and service to society. Engagement is one method by which faculty fulfill our mission to create a positive impact on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the world. The resources and information offered here are to help faculty to engage with the public, businesses, industries, government, and/or communities in their research and creative activities, as well as in their teaching and service roles.  

• The Public Engagement Project supports and trains faculty members to use their research to contribute to social change, inform public policy, and enrich public debate. The project also helps faculty members build their own networks of institutions and individuals who can apply their research findings, and it helps create institutional spaces for communication between academics and non-academics who do applied work in common areas of expertise. The project runs a fellowship program, and, at times, workshops and seminars, for faculty. Find resources for communicating your scholarship on their webpage. 
• The Office of Research and Engagement provides guidelines to develop the broader impacts of your work.
• The Civic Engagement and Service-Learning unit focuses on student engagement and has teachings and other resources for faculty seeking to work with local communities.
• There are about 60 centers and institutes across campus conducting research, creative activities, and engagement. Many have funding or form working groups for community or public engagement.
• The Public Engagement and Outreach Council is the governing body within the Faculty Senate which discusses and advises on policy, community, and public engagement
  • This council developed guidelines for faculty to document their engagement activities on the Annual Faculty Review submissions. Reach out to them or @email to obtain these guidelines.

Grants & Awards

• Public Service Endowment Grants
• Distinguished Community Engagement Awards