Advancing Engaged Scholarship Frameworks for Promotion and Tenure

Author(s)

Rod Williams, Texas Tech University
Steve Abel, Purdue University
Ann M. Mastergeorge, Texas Tech University
Mellinee Lesley, Texas Tech University

Abstract

Published literature is replete with evidence suggesting engaged scholarship is underrepresented as the basis for university faculty advancement through the promotion and tenure process. Recognizing the evolving landscape calling for universities and faculty to demonstrate the value of their work to society (broader impacts, societal impacts), the Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) identified the need for a resource specifically focused on the framework to advance recognition of the scholarship of engagement as a basis for promotion and/or tenure.

ESC, as the international organization that builds university-community partnerships and promotes engaged research is proud to announce the availability of Advancing Engaged Scholarship Frameworks for Promotion and Tenure. Created collaboratively by a team of engaged scholars from Texas Tech University and peer-reviewed by a robust panel of university engagement leaders, Advancing Engaged Scholarship Frameworks for Promotion and Tenure is arguably the most comprehensive resource of its kind. Content within the work spans topics across the continuum of engaged scholarship, beginning with the history of engagement and need for such a resource and ending with evaluating promotion/tenure dossiers based primarily on engaged scholarship. Additional topics address the evolution of engaged institutions, community-engaged learning and engaged scholarship, critical components in the creation and framing of engagement dossiers and assessing the impact of one’s engagement from scholarly and societal perspectives.

Also included are tools enabling universities to evaluate their maturity as engaged institutions, an algorithm to assess scholarly work from an engagement perspective, and an evaluation rubric to assess evidence of engagement presented by individual faculty. One appendix lists national and international engagement awards, and a second shares modifiable templates that may be used to request external reviewers as part of the assessment process for promotion and tenure. The intended audience for this resource includes community-engaged faculty members, department chairs, deans, promotion and tenure committees and university administrators.

Date of publication

October 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65529/88t0-5c2v

Resource type

Guide

Language

English

Citation (APA)

Williams, R., Abel, S., Mastergeorge, A. M., & Lesley, M. (2026). Advancing engaged scholarship frameworks for promotion and tenure. Engagement Scholarship Consortium. DOI: https://doi.org/10.65529/88t0-5c2v

 

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