Ohio University’s Place-Based Teaching and Learning Symposium invites proposals

Ohio University welcomes proposals for the third annual Place-Based Teaching and Learning Symposium, which will take place Friday, April 5, 2024, in Schoonover Center on the Athens Campus.

The proposal deadline is March 18. Submissions can be made online here: https://ohio.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rrevhTh3aIJXRY

“This annual event celebrates how the places we occupy — their history, art, economy, ecology, and more — are enhancing teaching and learning across the academy, throughout southeast Ohio, and beyond,” says Professor of Communication Studies (and Symposium co-coordinator) Jerry Miller. “It’s a gathering of people who use the power of place to bring learning to life, to inform their research and creativity, and to build connection with and pride in our communities.”

All community members are invited to submit proposals for the Symposium, which will feature research, creative activity, ideas for teaching, poster presentations, demonstrations, performances, and more. Organizers welcome submissions from faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, partners, and community members across all OHIO campuses.

“This year’s keynote speaker is OHIO Eastern Associate Professor of Education and Program Director Jacqueline Yahn,” says Associate Professor of Instruction in Linguistics (and Symposium co-coordinator) Michelle O’Malley. “Dr. Yahn’s work on the Rural Schools Collaborative Catalyst Initiative Grant is helping to lead innovative projects to strengthen rural education. I’m excited for her to share more about the collaboration between OHIO and community partner Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C).”

The Symposium debuted in 2022 and has included presentations by community partners like Rural Action and the Athens Photo Project; OHIO student (undergraduate and graduate) poster presentations; k-12 educators; faculty researchers; authors and poets; and staff from the University Archives.

“The Symposium is a wonderful opportunity for students, in particular, to share their research and creative activity in preparation for Ohio University’s 2024 Student EXPO on April 11,” says O’Malley.

In addition, the Symposium will host a Place-Based Teaching Workshop on Thursday, April 4 (6 to 9 p.m.) designed for OHIO faculty regional k-12 teachers and a Ridges Hike and Share for the community on Saturday, April 6 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

The community is invited to attend all Symposium events,

“We welcome anyone who’s interested in learning more about place-based learning and research to join us, at no cost, in Schoonover 450 on April 5,” says Miller.

Free registration is available online: https://ohio.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0cbWnMk23tyu9AG .

The Symposium is sponsored by the School of Communication Studies, the Center for Campus & Community Engagement, the Center for Teaching, Learning & Assessment, the OHIO Fellows Program, and the OHIO Place Initiative.