Research That Matters: Bringing Social Embeddedness
to Life

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Social Embeddedness. Across ASU campuses, the word has become a familiar term in descriptions of ASU’s vision for a New American University. But what does it mean to engage in socially embedded research? What does it look like? And how is it done?

In response to questions like these, the Office of University Initiatives and the Intergroup Relations Center sponsored a Faculty Breakfast Dialogue on Social Embeddedness and Research held on September 6. Many ASU faculty members attended and listened to stories, reflections, and advice from a panel of three ASU professors who spoke about the lessons learned from their socially embedded research.

“Socially embedded work is work that makes an impact in the community,” stated event moderator Dr. Marjorie Zatz, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. “But instead of going out and telling our partners what to do, we work with a community to make a difference.”

The three panelists emphasized that by developing truly reciprocal partnerships with community organizations, they managed to enhance the well-being of the people and communities of Arizona and advance relevant inquiry by valuing community input, knowledge, and needs.

“There’s a false belief that a dichotomy exists between research that furthers knowledge and research that solves problems,” stated Dr. Irwin Sandler, an ASU Regents’ Professor of Psychology and breakfast dialogue panelist. “People feel the more research you do in one area the less you can do in the other – and that’s not true.”

ASU faculty members from across the university listened as Sandler shared stories about his experiences with socially embedded research. He explained how his department’s partnership with the Superior Court of Arizona helps develop programs for divorcing families that advance ASU studies on the psychological effects of divorce while giving the court new resources to help their divorce cases reach amicable resolutions.

“Socially embedded work means forming partnerships with organizations that share your interests and values but may have a different approach to dealing with problems,” Sandler said. “Establishing a rapport with these partners takes a lot of time – there’s no real shortcut here. But I believe this makes the work become richer.”

Fellow panelist Associate Professor of Theatre and Film Dr. Stephani Etheridge Woodson explained how she was able to engage in socially embedded work with marginalized children and gain tenure. She emphasized that to achieve tenure through socially embedded work, faculty must communicate the purposes of their research to a wide audience.

“You need to work closely with your chair, director, dean, or associate dean and talk about the accountability and evidential criteria you are going to use in your research to prove you deserve tenure,” said Woodson. “Tenure is about forward thinking, so you need to show how your socially embedded research will help advance your discipline.” 

Woodson added that researchers involved in socially embedded work should circulate their research through many channels so both the university and outside community can benefit from it. She finds that publishing socially embedded research in popular periodicals as well as scholarly journals can be a valid way of showcasing one’s work since socially embedded research is useful to a wide variety of audiences.

Associate Professor of Language, Cultures, and History Dr. Gloria Holgún Cuádraz, the third breakfast panelist, feels the time is right for more ASU faculty members to engage in socially embedded work since the university is ready to recognize and value this research. She emphasized that socially embedded research requires a strong commitment from all partners to work.

“You must have a larger purpose in mind than creating the next line for your curriculum vitae,” she stated. “The strength of your commitment will carry you through the highs and lows of your project.”

Cuádraz’s socially embedded project was to preserve the oral histories of Mexican American families who lived in Arizona migrant camps.  She was approached by the Litchfield Park Historical Society to do the project and worked closely with her dean and chair to understand her fundraising options.

Cuadraz’s work is now supported by grants from the Arizona Humanities Council, Arizona Public Service, the city of Litchfield Park, the Litchfield Park Historical Society, and ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
 
The panelists’ words sparked a lively discussion with the faculty, many of whom are already involved in socially embedded projects. Faculty mentioned they would like ASU directors to work and communicate more with them to help support such research. Many also stated they would like ASU to develop guidelines that illustrate how socially embedded work is valued in the tenure process.

“Social embeddedness can add value to the research, teaching and service that faculty already do,” stated Kimberly Loui, Executive Director of the Office of University Initiatives. “Dialogues like this help shed light on how to actually do socially embedded research.” She added that ASU would like to continue such dialogues and has received several requests to hold similar dialogue breakfasts at other ASU campuses.

A recording of the breakfast dialogue is available at Office of University Initiatives web site.

Michael Jung, ASU in the Community feature writer
Michael.Jung@asu.edu
(480) 965-0335