Community Outreach and Engaged Research are both important aspects of any college or institution. Often, they are independent entities with little intersection. But sometimes, in a perfect scenario, they not only intersect but also complement the outcome by incorporating multiple departments, making for a full circle moment.
One example of this is a recent partnership between the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) and the City of Knoxville’s Violence Reduction Program. UT College of Social Work (UTCSW) alumna Starlandria (Star) Starks, Partnerships and Programs Manager for the City of Knoxville’s Office of Community Safety, made the initial connection with UTCSW’s Director of Outreach and Engagement, Tony Murchison. Starks and Murchison had collaborated on various projects in the past and had a working understanding of the city’s needs and how to address them. Murchison put Starks in touch with UTCSW Associate Dean of Research Dr. Doug Coatsworth, where they formulated a plan. From there, Coatsworth contacted Dr. Jeff Vomund in the Division of Applied Research and Evaluation at SWORPS, where the project would be implemented.
Starks explained that her role as the Partnerships and Programs Coordinator for the City of Knoxville’s Office of Community Safety supports the development, implementation, and management of strategies that reduce community violence through sustainable, community-informed partnerships. She is thrilled to be working with the college and SWORPS on the project and loves it when a connection stems from organizations with similar interests and values. “It’s an incredible full-circle moment to now partner with my alma mater in this work,” she said. “I’m deeply honored to collaborate with the very institution that shaped my leadership and values, and to do so in service of building a safer, more equitable Knoxville.”
Murchison agrees that collaborations for the college can come from many different encounters, with some being quite unexpected. “I always say, as often as possible, that my role does not have to be transactional,” Murchison stated. “I try to stay open in communication and with the individual or organization to find the balance of ‘mutual benefit’ – meeting their needs while also meeting the needs of the college. Sometimes, a meeting is just a chat, and nothing will come out of it for months or years, but when the opportunity arises, we have already started to build a relationship. Connecting with Star on this project feels like the perfect fit for everyone with an outcome that will serve a multitude of people.”
Vomund explains that in some ways, this project is similar to other evaluation projects SWORPS has administered. “This project is rooted in input from the community, developed collaboratively with key partners and stakeholders, and with a focus on celebrating the good that is happening even as we share data and recommendations that can lead to continued improvements in processes and outcomes,” he said. “At SWORPS, we fundamentally approach all our potential contracts and clients as partners in this work. We want to work with the community, in the community, and for the community. I believe that applies to our approximately 100 field-based direct service providers throughout the state, but also to our Technology and Development teams who are constantly trying to make sure their products meet the customers’ needs, as well as with our Evaluation and Applied Research teams. We really do want to partner with agencies throughout the state to make life better for Tennesseans. In this case, that means helping the city officials make Knoxville a safer place to live and raise a family. I can’t imagine a better way for our team to put our expertise at the service of the citizens of Tennessee.”