Palmar Álvarez-Blanco: A Champion of Public Scholarship at Carleton College
Introduction to Public Scholarship
Palmar Álvarez-Blanco, a Spanish professor at Carleton College and a Broom Fellow, embodies the spirit of public scholarship. Her commitment to democratizing knowledge stems from her own experiences growing up in a society where education was often reserved for the privileged. This background fuels her passion for civic engagement and public education, making her a vital advocate for these causes within academia.
The Constellation of the Commons
One of Álvarez-Blanco’s primary research projects is The Constellation of the Commons, an initiative she conceived eight years ago. This web-based project aims to highlight the resurgence of the Culture of the Commons in Spain. It features an open-access archive, an audiovisual map of ideas, a dictionary of critical concepts, and an expanded virtual classroom. The project has garnered contributions from students, social activists, and researchers, creating a rich tapestry of voices and perspectives. Currently, the archive hosts over 80 interviews with members of self-managed communities in Spain, continuously expanding to include new entries.
Engagement in Civic Scholarship
Álvarez-Blanco actively participates in seminars and workshops focused on civic engagement. Her involvement in the Engaged Faculty Institute through the Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact exemplifies her dedication. In 2021, she was selected by the Mellon Periclean Faculty Leadership Program to represent Carleton in Project Pericles’ initiative, which aims to build transformative texts in civic education. This led to the creation of Radio and News in Spanish, an Academic Civic Engagement (ACE) course co-designed with community partners and former students.
Her journey as a public scholar is deeply intertwined with cultural studies, critical pedagogies, and grassroots movements. These experiences inform her research and teaching, inspiring her to create projects that connect academic disciplines with the social realities outside the classroom.
Founding ALCESXXI
In 2010, Álvarez-Blanco co-founded ALCESXXI, the International Association of Spanish Literature and Film in the 21st Century. As president for over a decade, she has worked to foster a critically engaged model of civic education and collaborative cultural research. Her civic engagement has resulted in numerous publications in both English and Spanish, contributing to the discourse on public scholarship.
The Urgency of Public Knowledge
In a time marked by global crises, Álvarez-Blanco emphasizes the need for unconventional thinking and action. She advocates for a critical assessment of the hierarchical nature of knowledge, where economically privileged entities often control information. By engaging in public scholarship, she believes we can expand the realm of public knowledge, empowering marginalized populations and fostering a more equitable society.
Goals for the Broom Fellowship
With her Broom Fellowship, Álvarez-Blanco aims to support her colleagues in the CCCE Office and elevate the profile of civic engagement at Carleton. Her goals include transforming the academic culture into a more multidisciplinary environment and launching a video library for public scholarship. This library will serve as a living archive of oral testimonies, providing a valuable resource for both research and education.
Additionally, she plans to initiate an annual Day of Civic-Engaged and Public Scholarship, with the first event scheduled for June 9, 2023. This day aims to bring together faculty interested in public scholarship, fostering a community of practice.
ACE Course: “Shared Memories”
This term, Álvarez-Blanco is teaching an ACE course titled “Shared Memories: Learning History through Meaningful Conversations with Senior Citizens in Spain.” This innovative component of her “Spain Today” course involves collaboration with UNATE, a senior citizens’ university in Santander, Spain. Through one-on-one conversations with individuals who lived through Spain’s dictatorship and transition to democracy, students gain a nuanced understanding of historical complexities.
These interactions not only enrich students’ academic knowledge but also foster intergenerational and intercultural dialogue. By listening to firsthand accounts, students can appreciate the lived experiences behind historical events, enhancing their cultural competency and global perspective.
The Importance of Civic Engagement in Higher Education
Álvarez-Blanco believes that public scholarship and civic engagement are essential for transforming the often siloed academic culture in higher education. She argues that the current crises demand collaborative efforts that transcend individualistic approaches. By fostering connections between different communities and sectors, scholars can contribute to a more equitable and just society.
Reflections on Challenges in Civic Engagement
When reflecting on her civic engagement work, Álvarez-Blanco prefers to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures. She acknowledges that every journey has its complexities, and moments of confusion or conflict can serve as valuable teaching moments. By embracing these experiences, she encourages reflection on systemic issues and the importance of adaptability in public scholarship.
Through her work, Álvarez-Blanco exemplifies the transformative power of public scholarship, demonstrating how academia can engage with and enrich the broader community. Her initiatives not only enhance the educational experience for students but also contribute to a more informed and engaged society.
