Engagement at a research university is one of the three core functions of the university. Some universities define engagement across the mission of teaching, research, and service and as a particular approach to campus community.

This core academic function of engagement has historically been the least understood and often the most undervalued or appreciated of the three major academic functions of the university (i.e., teaching and learning; research and discovery; public service and engagement). It has frequently been seen as an add-on or voluntary activity. Rather, it is the very core and essence of our research institutions.

The confusion between public service and scholarly engagement has contributed to this academic function being undervalued. While service to the institution, one’s profession or one’s community is very important our definition of scholarly or academic engagement is the process of actively partnering with the broader community to effectively apply and utilize the university’s knowledge, resources and expertise to mutually address the needs and problems facing the global society.

Research can provide the knowledge for appropriate engagement at the local, regional, national and international levels. Innovative ideas and discoveries generated by faculty and staff serve as powerful engines of economic development, cultural enrichment and positive change while contributing to enhancing everyone’s quality of life.

Complementing basic and disciplinary science, this core academic function of scholarly engagement is applied, problem-centered, transdisciplinary, demand-driven, often entrepreneurial, and network embedded.