Stories from the Field

The Stories from the Field series focuses on the "why" and "how" of community engagement and applied research. Each session, we invite speakers to tell us about their work and share stories that illustrate what this work actually looks like on the ground. We invite speakers to share why they approach their work the way they do, as well as some of the lessons they've learned along the way. Stories from the Field speakers represent a range of backgrounds and their work spans an even wider range of topics. Our hope is that all of these stories highlight the challenges and opportunities of doing work with and for communities. These events are open to the public and recordings of all talks are available below:

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November 20, 2024

Where the rubber meets the road: Service, education, and research aboard the LION Mobile Clinic

Check out our conversation with researcher Kristina Brant and physician Michael McShane about how the LION Mobile Clinic provides health care in medically underserved areas, educates medical students, and incorporates community-engaged research to respond to community-identified needs and inform broader understandings of rural health.

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October 30, 2024

More than a football field: Youth-driven transformation in Pittsburgh

Catch our talk with Penn State Extension educators about how the Westinghouse Youth Project began with an effort to revitalize a school athletic field and expanded into a youth-driven initiative that includes turfgrass management, youth workforce development, mental health education, and engagement with the local community.

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March 21, 2024

Hope in Action: Preparing for a Changing Climate in our Communities

Watch the recording from our conversation with Local Climate Action Program (LCAP) co-directors Brandi Robinson and Peter Buck. LCAP is built on the idea that cooperation can help Pennsylvania’s communities reduce emissions and become more thriving, resilient, equitable places to call home.

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February 21, 2024

Place, Race & Partnership in Downtown Hazleton

Check out our conversation with Krista Schneider, PennTAP technical advisor at Penn State Hazleton, about her experiences doing community and economic development work in a dramatically changing and diversifying small Pennsylvania city.

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