Public Intellectuals and Alternative Modes of Knowledge Production

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Public intellectuals, like all academics, produce knowledge. They also engage in a broad array of ways to interact with the public. Using blogs, journalistic outlets, film, performance and action, as well as other venues, they proactively work to disseminate their work and engage in debate concerning the contested landscape of public education. Both the production and consumption of their ideas can lead to different consequences for the uptake of academic work, which no longer solely operates within the boundaries of university life and academic outlets. As intellectuals, they enter the public sphere, and potentially change the nature of academic work as well as the sphere itself. The panelists -- who are all actively engaging in such work – welcome town hall participants to raise questions in an open forum and then participate in smaller round table consultations about how to engage more AERA members in such work.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chairs

• Audrey Amrein-Beardsley, Arizona State University

• William C. Ayers, University of Illinois at Chicago

Participants

• Audrey Amrein-Beardsley, Arizona State University

• Nolan L. Cabrera, The University of Arizona

• Eve Louise Ewing, University of Chicago

• Marc Lamont Hill, Temple University

• Crystal T. Laura, Chicago State University

• Zeus Leonardo, University of California - Berkeley