A Conversation with the Authors | Weaving a Fabric of Unity
The CRC invites you to join Haleh Arbab, Gustavo Correa, and Bradley Wilson for an
inspiring evening of conversation about their newly published book, Weaving a Fabric
of Unity: Conversations on Education and Development. This insightful book explores
how collaborative, participatory approaches can foster unity across diverse communities,
highlighting the transformative potential of community-based research to empower
individuals and groups to co-create solutions to shared challenges. Drawing on
their own experiences in the field, particularly five decades of stories and learning
from FUNDAEC (the Foundation for the Application and Teaching of Science), they
discuss how action research can bridge divides, build trust, and create lasting
impact. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn from the authors about
how research can be a tool for social change and how we can all play a role in
weaving stronger, more connected and resilient communities. Whether you're an educator,
researcher, or community member, this conversation will deepen your understanding
of how to engage meaningfully with communities to create real, positive change.
Undergraduate Student 2025 Resilient Communities Internship Research Symposium
Our symposium day kicks off with the Spring 2025 Resilient Communities Internship
Research Symposium, where 20 exceptional undergraduate students will present
the results of their action research in collaboration with community-based organizations
across the state of West Virginia. These students, as part of the sixth annual
internship cohort, have been working alongside community partners in the areas
of community economies, food justice, and environmental justice to address real-world
challenges, and this event offers an exciting opportunity to learn from their
groundbreaking work and reflect on how we can collectively contribute to transformative
social change.
Faculty Panel on Community-Engaged Research
Join us for a conversation with a Faculty Panel on Community-Engaged Research, featuring WVU faculty members. This engaging discussion will highlight the diverse ways in which faculty from across disciplines are partnering with communities to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges in West Virginia and beyond. Panelists will share their experiences in community-based research, discussing how their work fosters resilience, equity, and social justice, while strengthening the bonds between academia and the communities they serve. This event offers an opportunity to learn from faculty whose research is not only shaping academic knowledge but also driving meaningful, positive change in local communities.
Graduate Student Community-Engaged Research Symposium
We are also excited to present the
Graduate Student Community-Engaged Research Symposium. This event showcases
the innovative research being led by graduate students who are deeply committed
to creative, community-driven solutions. Through partnerships with local organizations
and grassroots relationship-building, their work addresses social injustices
in West Virginia and beyond, emphasizing the importance of collaborative, action-oriented
scholarship. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with meaningful research
that bridges academic inquiry and community impact, while learning how these
efforts contribute to building more equitable and resilient communities. These
graduate scholars are advancing knowledge that has tangible, lasting impacts
on our communities, and their presentations will inspire all who are invested
in social change and public good. Your participation helps amplify the voices
of those working to make a difference and strengthens the bond between academia
and the communities we serve.