Developing a grounded practical theory of engaged communication scholarship: theorizing communities of practice in NCA journals

ABSTRACT This study analyzes use of the terms ‘engaged scholarship’ and ‘engaged research’ in all 11 NCA journals to develop a grounded practical theory (GPT) of engaged communication research. We find that the practice of engaged scholarship is defined by tensions between role identity goals of scholar and practitioner; relational goals of expertise and partnership; and outcome goals of theory and practice. To manage these tensions, engaged scholars (1) discursively construct themselves in dual roles of academic-community member; (2) advocate for researcher reflexivity to manage power dynamics; and (3) privilege theory-practice integrative outcomes. Underlying these tactics, engaged scholars intimate moral and strategic arguments for the practice of engaged scholarship. We discuss the implications of these situated ideals for assessing ‘what counts’ as good scholarship among researchers working at the intersections of theory and practice.