Elyssa Ford, Assistant Professor of History, Northwest Missouri State University

Proposal Type: Working Group

Abstract: For many public history programs, it is important to maintain close relationships with community partners for a variety of reasons – real world projects for students, internships, assistantships, and full-time job opportunities. Based on recent H-Public discussions, the questions of how initially to find community partners and create those relationships, how to maintain those partnerships in a healthy way, and what to do when a problem arises are essential for the success of public history programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. This working group hopes to bring in directors of public history programs and representatives from potential and existing community partners to delve into this discussion and to begin creating a list of best practices that can became the basis of a report or article for wider dissemination.

Seeking: I would like to set up a working group on this topic if other people think that is the right format for this discussion. If people instead think that a roundtable is the way to go, then I am fine with that (though I really think a working group with wider discussion to set up standards is really what is needed).

This topic fits perfectly with the conference theme of “History on the Edge.” In fact, this idea of “the edge” is a great topic to bring up within this discussion of community partners. Often in academic programs, we think of community partners as on the edge or the periphery of our programs, but perhaps we need to refocus that and work to put those community partners more in the center of what we are doing.

Related Topics: Museums/Exhibits, Preservation, Oral History, Civic Engagement, Teaching

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to share contact information for other people the proposer should reach out to, please get in contact directly: Elyssa Ford, ebford[at]nwmissouri.edu

If you have general ideas or feedback to share please feel free to use the comments feature below.

 

Discussion

4 comments
  1. Denise Meringolo says:

    I think this would be a very useful working group.

  2. Modupe Labode says:

    I agree that a working group would be a useful way to discuss this important issue. Good luck!

  3. Jill Ogline Titus says:

    A very important topic! You might reach out to Margo Shea at Salem State College, who has worked with a wide array of community partners, including some who are quite nontraditional. And given the conference location, you might contact Rebecca Conard at MTSU; the MTSU program is widely-known for the strength and longevity of its partnerships.

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