Center for Engaged Learning Research Seminars support multi-institutional research on specific engaged learning themes over two academic calendar years, with three one-week summer meetings on the Elon University campus. Participants collaborate on active research over the entire period. These multi-institutional collaborations enable larger scale studies and explorations of the impact of different institutional contexts.

• Summer 1: Participants collaboratively develop and plan multi-institutional research projects to be conducted throughout the following year at the participants’ own institutions.
• Summer 2: Participants share their initial multi-institutional results and plan a more sharply focused research agenda for the research cohort for year two.
• Summer 3: Participants reconvene to share their year-two results, to plan continuations of their work (if desired), and to present at the Conference on Engaged Learning.

Participants produce significant, concrete outcomes. Past Center for Engaged Learning research seminars have generated edited volumes, journal articles and book chapters, white papers, and conference presentations – as well as local initiatives on participants’ home campuses.

Participant Expenses

Elon University provides lodging in residence halls and meals for seminar participants during the seminar’s summer meetings. In addition, the Center for Engaged Learning reimburses each accepted participant up to USD $500/year (up to USD $1000/year for international participants) for travel costs (e.g., airplane tickets, mileage, airport parking, meals in transit) incurred while traveling to the seminar’s summer meetings at Elon University. Reimbursements are processed as checks, but wire transfers can be arranged if necessary for international participants. All reimbursements are made in U.S. dollars (USD). Full reimbursement policies will be distributed to accepted participants. Other participant expenses, including travel costs above the limit and any research costs, will be paid by the participants and/or their home institutions.

Accommodations

We provide housing in Elon University’s state-of-the-art residential facilities. Participants have air-conditioned single rooms, and most rooms have an in-room, private bathroom. Single rooms without an in-room bathroom have an in-room sink and a private bathroom within the same suite. Towels (bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth) and linens (sheets, blanket, and pillow) are provided, but participants must bring all toiletries. All buildings on Elon’s campus have wireless internet access. Participants also have access to the sports facilities at Elon, including the fitness center; pool access is dependent on the pool’s summer hours.

Travel

We will provide transportation to/from Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU) and Elon’s campus for accepted participants, within a limited schedule. We typically are able to provide a Sunday shuttle to campus for participants who arrive at RDU by 4:00 PM on Sunday of our summer meeting week. The shuttle to RDU on Friday of our summer meeting week departs by 12:15 PM (arriving at RDU by approximately 1:30 PM).

For participants driving to campus, we can arrange for a parking permit for a lot near the residence hall.

Accepted participants will receive a link to a travel information form, distributed each spring.

Meals

All meals and snacks will be provided (Sunday dinner through Friday lunch). Accepted participants will have an opportunity to note any dietary preferences.

About Elon University

Elon University is a selective, independent, private university renowned as a national model for engaged learning, along with excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs. Elon’s beautiful and historic campus in central North Carolina is designated as a botanical garden.

About the Area

Elon University is in the small town of Elon, North Carolina. The town of Burlington is adjacent and Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh are all within an one hour driving radius.

The weather in June tends to have moderate humidity, with temperature highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s. The weather in July tends to have high humidity, with temperature highs in the upper 90s and lows in the 70s.