A summer of collaborative scholarship at the Center for Engaged Learning

This summer, the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) welcomed scholars from around the world to Elon for a full season of collaborative research, including three weeklong Research Seminars and the annual Conference on Engaged Learning.

CEL Research Seminars support international, multi-institutional and multidisciplinary research on focused topics in engaged learning. Each seminar brings together 20 to 24 scholars from higher education institutions around the world who collaborate over two academic years, including three summer meetings at Elon. Led by a team of scholars with expertise in the seminar topic, participants work together in smaller research teams to develop collaborative studies designed to advance research on engaged learning that can be applied across institutional and disciplinary contexts. Elon students, serving as CEL Student Scholars, also contribute to the leadership of the seminars and collaborate with participants throughout the research process.

The three summer meetings guide participants through the research process. During the first meeting, participants form smaller research teams, develop research questions and create plans for collecting data during the following academic year. At the second meeting, teams return to Elon with their data and focus on analysis and next steps. The third and final meeting centers on sharing findings at CEL’s annual Conference on Engaged Learning and developing plans to circulate the research more broadly. This summer offered a snapshot of that full process, with one seminar at each stage.

First, in late June, participants in Affirming and Inclusive Engaged Learning for Neurodivergent Students returned to Elon for their third and final summer meeting. Research teams shared findings from their multi-institutional studies and continued developing plans for publications and other forms of going public with their research. The seminar was led by Caroline Ketcham, associate dean for STEAM and operations for Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences, and professor of exercise science; Kira Campagna ‘26; Ben Krasnow ‘27; Kaz Kelly ‘27; and Jessie L. Moore, Director of CEL and Professor of English: Professional Writing & Rhetoric.

The seminar’s focus also shaped the theme of this year’s Conference on Engaged Learning, which welcomes members of the Elon community and educators from other institutions. Seminar participants presented their research throughout the conference, and the seminar’s leadership team delivered the opening keynote. On the final day, Victoria Verlezza, employee experience and culture expert, delivered a closing keynote focused on cognitive equity and designing learning environments that recognize and support different ways of thinking, processing, and contributing.

Then, in early July, CEL welcomed participants in Rethinking Engaged Learning in the Age of GenAI for their first summer meeting. Participants formed research teams, developed questions about generative AI and engaged learning, and designed plans for collecting data during the coming academic year. The 2026-2028 research seminar is led by Amanda Sturgill, associate professor of journalism; Aaron Trocki, associate professor of mathematics; Matthew Cornick ‘29, Mariama Kindie Jalloh ‘28; and Chiebuka Tor ‘28.

Finally, in mid-July, participants in Learning on Location: Place-based Pedagogies in Higher Education returned to Elon for their second summer meeting. Having collected data during the previous academic year, teams spent their week together analyzing their findings and developing plans for the next stages of their research. The 2025-2027 research seminar is led by Ashley J. Holmes, associate vice provost for teaching and learning at Oregon State University, and author of “Learning on Location“; Susan Hrach, a professional coach and author of Minding Bodies; Lauren Kearns, Maude Sharpe Powell Professor and professor of dance; Phillip Motley, professor of communication design and director, of graduate programs for the School of Communications; Sanai Crosby ‘28; and Amelia Weaver ‘28.

The work of the Research Seminars continues throughout the academic year as participants return to their home institutions, collect and analyze data, collaborate virtually, and work toward sharing their findings with the broader higher education community.

Interested in joining a future CEL Research Seminar? Applications for the next research seminar will open later this fall. Learn more about past, current and future seminars and conferences visit CEL’s website.