Blogs

Read Their Stories

At Public Scholarship and Engagement, we value sharing the authentic voices of those engaged in public scholarship.

This is why we work hard to publish and promote first-person blogs written by UC Davis-affiliated public scholars. These blogs, however, are the personal accounts and opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Public Scholarship and Engagement or UC Davis. We feel it is important that these scholars can share their genuine experiences about public scholarship.

 

Desirée Martín, associate professor of English at UC Davis, is sitting in a cafe. Her arms are crossed and she is wearing glasses and a pink shirt.

The University as Public Space: Integrating Home and Academic Life for Students

  • by Desirée A. Martín
As a public university, the University of California’s fundamental missions are teaching, research and “to serve society as a center of higher learning.” None of these endeavors are possible without public service. And yet, the importance of the public to the university is not always obvious to the public that we engage with the most frequently on campus — our students.
Professor Katharine Burnett sits at her desk and is holding a tea pot.

A Cup of Culture

  • by Becky Oskin
In exploring the rich tapestry of global cultures, few elements weave as intricate a story as tea. Tracing the spread of tea culture offers a unique lens for art historian Katharine Burnett, professor and Chair in the Department of Art and Art History, to explore the complex interplay of tradition, globalization, and identity.
Illustration of two girls running towards one another for a hug. A group of children cheer in the background. Above them is a sign that says “NO ONE GETS FREE ALONE”.

Open Letters from Prison

  • by Ben Weber, Department of African American and African Studies, and Pam Fadem and Rachel Klein, California Coalition for Women Prisoners
When COVID-19 isolated incarcerated people, Assistant Professor Ben Weber and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners launched a writing group to facilitate communication among individuals both on inside and outside of prison walls.
Orange smokey sky with marine layer and line of wildfire in California coastal hills

Exploring the Link Between Wildfires and Infectious Disease

  • by Naomi Hauser
Wildfire smoke may carry mold spores that cause fungal infections in humans. Naomi Hauser, an infectious disease specialist and assistant clinical professor at UC Davis Health, built strong partnerships with community fire departments to measure the spread of spores during wildfires.
drawing of a cartoon version of coronavirus with text that says "The impact of the pandemic on my family is health"

Documenting Youth Resilience During the Pandemic

  • by Natalia Deeb-Sossa
Natalia Deeb-Sossa, associate professor in the Department of Chicana/o Studies, has a passion for advocating for marginalized communities and addressing inequities. She documented the pandemic’s impact on children of farm workers with support from a Public Impact Research Initiative grant.
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