Research service learning: An emerging pedagogy with significant payoffs for faculty, students, and the community

Research Service Learning (RSL) is a teaching method that helps students develop and apply knowledge while engaged in solving real-world problems. Students work with community partners (such as federal agencies, NGOs, non-profits) to identify pressing research questions, to determine appropriate methods, and to collect and analyze data.  Conservation Biology of the Eno River is an RSL course in which my students and I collaborate with scientists from the community who share our interest in local biodiversity. Currently, we are involved in monitoring the population dynamics of an endangered species of salamander (Necturus lewisi), quantifying the impact of a dam removal project on aquatic biodiversity, and optimizing eradication efforts for invasive plants. Although RSL certainly has its challenges, faculty benefit from the unique opportunity to combine three significant aspects of academic life – teaching, research and service – in one course, and to share that enriched experience with students. The community benefits not only from student participation in research projects, but also from the new insights and perspectives that students provide. Finally, students benefit by participate in all levels of planning and implementing research projects, experiencing first hand the complexity, hard work, frustrations, and rewards of the scientific process.  RSL helps build a stronger community through the contacts we make, and by helping students move beyond civic engagement to becoming responsible stewards of their environment.