What are Scholars For?: Negotiating Critical Analysis and Advocacy through Community-Engaged Research and Teaching 1.

This article examines the tension between critical analysis and advocacy in the field of religion and nature. It discusses the challenges faced by scholars in balancing the promotion of environmentalism with objective analysis of the relationship between religion and environmental behaviors. The author suggests that community-engaged research and teaching can help navigate this tension by fostering collaboration and addressing community needs. The article also addresses the history of academic exploitation in the Appalachian region and emphasizes the importance of scholars demonstrating long-term commitments to communities and being accountable to them. It highlights the intersection of religion and nature scholarship with community-engaged research and pedagogy, emphasizing the need for scholars to actively engage with communities and address environmental challenges. The text also raises questions about defining the "public" and "community" and encourages scholars to consider the impacts of their work on these groups. It concludes by emphasizing the role of scholars and universities in addressing societal challenges and promoting resilience and justice. [Extracted from the article]