Abstract
Community-engaged research offers opportunities to produce scholarship that is both rigorous and responsive to the priorities of communities. But how do researchers identify those priorities, develop meaningful partnerships and connect their expertise with questions that matter beyond the university?
This presentation will explore practical frameworks for community engagement and research–practice partnerships, with particular attention to the work that happens before a research project begins: understanding community context, building relationships, identifying shared interests and collaboratively defining research questions. Drawing on examples from UNL and Nebraska Extension, Barrett will examine how community priorities can inform research, teaching and experiential learning, as well as the institutional barriers that can make this work difficult.
The session will also introduce resources and emerging infrastructure designed to help faculty, staff, postdocs and students discover community priorities, identify potential partners and develop collaborative projects.
Participants will leave with a practical framework for approaching community-engaged scholarship, strategies for initiating reciprocal partnerships and resources for connecting their expertise with community questions.
Details
Date, Time & Location
Nov. 6, 2026
12:00-1:30 P.M. CST
Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall, Room 313
Zoom video conference
This presentation is free and open to the public. It is made possible by support from the NU Nebraska Research Initiative.
Jentry Barrett, Ph.D.
Engagement Zone Coordinator, Nebraska Extension
Jentry Barrett uses principles from community-based participatory research, adult learning theory and science communication to help facilitate and spur impactful research and initiatives that can lead to positive changes that are relevant, timely, useful and embraced by those who are most impacted by those changes. Her role in Cooperative Extension enables her to make meaningful connections among community partners and the resources on UNL’s campus to help increase the engagement of both on-campus researchers in the community, and to help build trust with community partners.
Full Biography