Come to the Table III: The Intersection of Activism and Academics in Appalachian Studies

The relationship between academia and activism has been a primary concern of the work of the Appalachian Studies Association since its founding. This roundtable will examine this tension through a dialogue with academic researchers, community activists, and legal advocates. Participants will explore how academic research in applied and social sciences can further grassroots and policy change in the region. What are the barriers, challenges and incentives to cultivating this kind of research? How can researchers and institutions partner with organizers to examine urgent regional issues? What political and academic pressures inhibit this kind of work