March 2022 | Issue 27
The rebirth of spring is upon us.

I am experiencing this at my home with the recent birth of two baby goats (pictured here) on my family’s small farm. We also are experiencing this at PSE, as we emerge from two years of pandemic-induced disruptions, which drastically impacted the manner in which we could connect with one another, with a renewed commitment to the academic integration of community engagement at UC Davis.

These past few years have been particularly challenging for those who are involved with community-engaged work because of how essential relationship building and in-person interaction is to their research, teaching, and learning.
baby goats

Public Engagement Champion
Professor Rebecca Calisi Rodríguez says community-engaged research is best done when public scholars are their true, authentic selves. Read her story.
Three women in lab coats talking to each other with the text “In order to support science, we must support the diverse needs of the people doing the science.” Rebecca Calisi Rodriguez, Ph.D. College of Biological Science, Public Engagement Champion

Spotlight: Your Public Scholarship Community
No one has escaped the effects of the pandemic—including public scholars. Assistant Professor of Social and Environmental Justice Clare Cannon, Ph.D., shares her public scholarship challenges and triumphs from this time. 


When Liza Grandia, Ph.D., associate professor in Native American studies at UC Davis, was working with Q’eqchi’ leaders in Guatemala to defend their land, she knew the name of the project mattered. The group decided on Xeel (she-EL, which means leftovers). “None of us at that moment fathomed where it would lead us,” she said.
UC Davis GSM capstone Integrated Management Project (IMPACT) challenges MBA teams to develop creative solutions for Fortune 50 firms to startups—and, most recently, the United Nations. Read how this team of student public scholars engaged with community partners from around the globe to help the United Nations.

Nancy Allen and Samuel Sandoval Solís were awarded the 2022 Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement. Allen is a grant writer for Global Fellowships in Agricultural Development and works with the U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security. Associate Professor Sandoval has been a crucial partner on numerous water-related projects in several parts of the world.

Mellon Public Scholars at the UC Davis Humanities Institute, which is a proud partner of PSE, recently announced its 2022 MPS cohort of scholars. This group represents seven departments from across the arts, humanities, and humanistic social sciences.


PSE is currently seeking applications for the 2022-23 cohort of their Public Scholarship Faculty Fellows (PSFF) program. This competitive fellowship program seeks to acknowledge and reward exemplary individuals who are working toward a specific goal or outcome during the fellowship.
Group of individuals sitting on a bench outside in front of a tree
Deadline: May 20, 2022

In Other News

Events and Opportunities
Now through May 5, the National Science Foundation is seeking proposals for its Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) research and action competition, which is focused on accelerating the transition to practice of foundational research and emerging technologies into communities through civic-engaged research. PSE can provide support through Campus Community Connect for teams who are considering applying for this grant. Learn more about the grant and how PSE can help you.


Deadline: May 5, 2022

Event: March 26, 2022 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.



Event: April 2, 2022 | 8:45 a.m.–5:30 p.m.


Event: April 6, 2022 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Supporting the Public Good
Philanthropic support plays a vital role in advancing UC Davis public scholarship mission. We invite you to support our vision of discovery, learning and engagement for the public good. 

Thanks for reading this month's issue! Submit your story ideas to Engagement Digest using this form. If you were forwarded this newsletter, subscribe here.