What forms of scholarship define the work of those in your department at their best?

Scholarship in the communication field includes original written research and films, presentation of that research in journals and at conferences, invited speaking opportunities, and consulting. We view the forms of scholarship in three tiers, ordered according to value and depth of original work.

• Original Research
• • Projects that involve students for they best meet teaching and institutional goals
  • Papers accepted for publication in peer-reviewed international, national, regional, and state journals.
  • Original films accepted for presentation at film festivals and conferences.
  • Presentations of competitively selected papers at international, national, regional, and state conferences.
  • Research shared with/used to educate the lay community.
• Reviews
• • Writing published reviews of books.
  • Reviewing articles for publication.
  • Reviewing textbooks for publication.
  • Reviewing competitive papers for presentation at conferences.
• Lectures/Public Speaking/Panel Participation
• • Invited lectures and public speaking engagements.
  • Invited participation on round-table and panel discussions at international, national, regional, and state conferences.
  • Consulting.

What forms of peer review—including those beyond the Luther campus—are appropriate for that work?

The most prestigious form of peer review is that for refereed journals in the field, with national journals being most prestigious, followed by regional and state journals. For original films, peer reviewed selection of films at festivals and conferences are most prestigious and can be evaluated based on the level of competition at each venue. A second layer of peer review includes competitively selected papers for international, national, regional and state conferences. Finally, a form of peer review is invitation, because of reputation and expertise, to present lectures, workshops, speeches, or to serve as a consultant.

How can you encourage and enable your colleagues to see that such work bears fruit in their teaching?

Creating an environment of teaching scholars that encourages faculty to conduct research and produce creative works that excites them is essential. Relating scholarship to teaching can challenge our best students. Furthermore, involving students in research teaches students and benefits faculty who can simultaneously teach and mentor students, while engaging in research that may be presented or published.

What depth and range of achievement in scholarship at the third year, tenure review, and application for promotion to full professor should distinguish the work of Luther faculty?

Journals in the field of communication are highly competitive with acceptance rates typically ranging from 8 to 15 percent. As such, an active research program, presentation of that research at conferences, and attempts to publish are expected. Publications are also expected, but due to the low acceptance rates and preference of quality over quantity, a specific number of publications expected is not specified. In regards to creative works such as film-making, production of works and submission to and acceptance at local and regional film festivals is expected.

• Third year review
• • An active research program.
  • Annual presentations of research at conferences.
  • Submission of research papers to conferences and journals and/or films to film festivals.
  • Publications and/or film showings in relevant outlets.
• Tenure and promotion to associate professor
• • An active research program.
  • Annual presentations of research and/or films at conferences and/or festivals.
  • Submission of research papers to conferences and journals.
  • Publications in state, regional, national, or international journals in the field.
• Promotion to full professor
• • An active and ongoing research program.
  • Annual presentations of research at conferences.
  • Consistent efforts to publish or show films by submission of research papers to journals in the field or films to film festivals.
  • Publications since tenure, in state, regional, national, or international journals in the field.
  • Extending research beyond the academic community.
• Other beneficial acts of scholarship
• • Collaborative research or film projects with students.
  • Relevant publications outside the field.
  • Research shared with/used to educate the lay community.
  • Public speaking engagements.
  • Consulting.
  • Reviewing of books.
  • Reviewing of papers for conferences and publication.

What distinctive forms of scholarship can thrive at a liberal arts college of the church?

Though traditional quantitative and qualitative research is important at a liberal arts college, more important is collaborative research and creative works with students and research that reaches beyond the classroom to the community. At a liberal arts college of the church where the focus is on learning, we should be engaging our students in scholarship and as such engaging them in their field of study. Where appropriate, that research can be presented by students at communication conferences and films can be shown as film festivals. Secondly, we can aim to use our research to aid the community. For example, research on family communication, intercultural communication and media all can reach beyond the classroom to educate communities on effective communication strategies, and on critical use of media. Such scholarship, when presented to the community in newsletters, guest speaking, via the internet, or other media weds scholarship with community service. Whenever our scholarship can reach colleagues and be delivered to a lay audience, our scholarship becomes distinct as furthering the goals of a liberal arts college of the church.

(Revised Spring 2014)