Developing Academic Communities through Fulbright Programs

Graham Cagney, Anne and DeMarie, Darlene and Pope, Elizabeth and deMarrais, Kathleen and Crites, Garry J. (2016) Developing Academic Communities through Fulbright Programs. In: ECER Conference, UCD Dublin 22-26 August 2016.

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Abstract

This study began with the premise that faculty in higher education use varying degrees of learning partnerships, communities of practice and social networks, in academic work role performance, which has implications for their research work experiences. A qualitative study of faculty recipients of an international scholarly award was conducted to explore how they evolve in their thinking and understanding in respect of the relevance of their research interests both to their academic community and to the practice community. The study builds on the transformative learning spaces conceptual framework through an exploration of how scholarly networks can support the social, personal and situational contexts of an evolving professional research identity for faculty in higher education. Findings from thirty-two qualitative interviews with Fulbright Scholars in America and Ireland shed light on (a) nature of individual transformative learning and the underlying structure and contexts (personal, professional and situational) of an international scholarly network, (b) informs current debate on how scholarly networks impact on evolving faculty professional identity and orientation toward scholarly partnerships and research collaborations, and (c) how HEI support for learning transfer influences the engagement or dis-engagement of faculty to maintain the relevance of their research interests both to their academic community and to the practice community. The study highlights the importance of international mechanisms or incentives from universities and scientific communities, together with international collaboration through research exchanges and visits. Finally, the results of this study have implications for faculty core research, networked relationships and inter-disciplinary orientations.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Departments or Groups: *NONE OF THESE*
Divisions: School of Education
Depositing User: Anne Graham
Date Deposited: 03 Mar 2017 15:23
Last Modified: 03 Mar 2017 15:23
URI: https://repository.wit.ie/id/eprint/3227

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