Academic citizenship

Academic citizenship is an important category in the life of any academic because it offers an opportunity to support La Trobe and the broader community. The three component parts of academic citizenship are:

  • Service within the university (or College, School or Department)
  • Leadership (formal and informal roles)
  • Engagement (with the profession, industry, government, business and the broader community)

Our Academic Promotions process ensures a clear recognition and reward pathway for academic citizenship.

Public scholarship

We have a great tradition of public scholarship in disseminating our academic knowledge to the broader community.

Public scholarship provides the platforms to develop and enhance the community engagement aspect of academic citizenship. It can add another dimension to your research and provide you with a readership beyond that of your core research colleagues. This important academic activity also helps to enhance the reputation of the University.

It can provide benefits to you as member of staff, your academic discipline and to La Trobe. Public scholarship is both a way to give back to the community, and a way to develop your career.

Hear from our staff

Photo of Dr Fiona Kelly

With public scholarship I am trying to add complexity to the public narrative. Working closely with the community, I am able to see the effects and impact of my research.

Dr Fiona Kelly
Dean and Head of Law School


La Trobe has several internal opportunities to help you develop your public scholarship:

Research partnership

Research partnerships

Connect with industry to make a difference to business and communities.

Medical research

Academic profile system

Your profile makes your research more visible.

Media training

Media training and engagement [staff login required]

Promoting your research in the news.


Our public scholarship platforms include:

Gillian Triggs as a speaker

Ideas and Society

Debates and public lectures with leading thinkers and public figures.

La Trobe concert

La Trobe Opinions

A platform for academic opinions on current affairs.