The Power of Praxis

Public Scholarship and the Potential of EdD Dissertations

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2025.495

Keywords:

public scholarship, dissertation advising, EdD, educational leadership, scholar-practitioners

Abstract

Higher education is witnessing a shift towards greater public engagement. Public scholarship, research conducted with and for the public, presents a compelling opportunity for doctoral programs in education. This article examines public scholarship and the public scholarship dissertation as a distinctive approach that transcends traditional formats and boundaries. We argue that this format promotes collaboration with the public, enhances research impact, and highlights the dissertation's practical potential. The article explores the nature of the public scholarship dissertation at Rowan University, a public research university, to examine the form, function, and procedures involved in engaging with this approach. We explore the key considerations of a public scholarship dissertation, including the balance between scholarship and public engagement, candidate preparedness, and advising practices. The article concludes with cautions and encouragements for faculty and scholar-practitioners considering ways to communicate doctoral research both to and beyond the academy.

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Published

2025-08-04

How to Cite

Johnson, A. T., & Kerrigan, M. R. (2025). The Power of Praxis: Public Scholarship and the Potential of EdD Dissertations. Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 10(3), 53–60. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2025.495

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2025): The Present and Future of EdD Alternative Dissertations

Section

Themed-The Present and Future of EdD Alternative Dissertations

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Copyright (c) 2025 Ane Turner Johnson, Monica Reid Kerrigan

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