TU in the Community

Community Projects Database

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Project Details

Contributed by: Matthew Durington

Towson Metropolitan Ethnography Project

Since the fall of 2006 I have been engaged in a research project utilizing ethnographic methods and media to explore a variety of socioeconomic issues in the Baltimore metropolitan region. The primary fieldsite for this research is the South Baltimore community of Sharp Leadenhall but involves a number of communities as well. Students have been working with community members collaboratively to create an audio/video historical archive for the past three years assisted by Faculty Development and Teaching Innovation Grants at Towson University. Working with community members, student and faculty collaborators the project is continually expanding and has resulted in a conference on housing in 2008 (www.towson.edu/metro), a co-authored publication with Towson University students (http://muj.uc.iupui.edu/abstracts/v20_n1.htm) and ongoing research (www.tmeproject.ning.com). I have a number of grants in submission with faculty collaborators at Towson University and my students volunteer regularly in the community including the running of a concession stand for the Sharp Leadenhall Planning Committee during Baltimore Ravens home games. A recent expansion of the project involves a community photography project funded by a Pepsi Grant at Towson University; and the OBAltimore project exploring reactions and racial identity to the election of President Obama. We are continually looking for new communities to conduct research with.

Learning Course: ANTH 370, Life in the City
Project Timeframe: ongoing

Categories:
Advocacy & Human Rights, Arts & Culture, Business & Economic Development, Civic Involvement, Community Development, Educational Outreach, Environment & Green Initiatives, Health & Wellness, Mentoring & Youth, Poverty & Homelessness, Science & Technology

Audience/Participants:
Business, Families, General Community, TU Faculty/Staff, Schools & PreK-12 Students, Government, Non-Profit, Faith-based Organizations, TU Students, Alumni, Other Universities and Colleges

Contact Information
Matthew Durington
Assistant Professor

mdurington@towson.edu
TU Collaborators:
Other TU Collaborators:
Betty Bland Thomas, President Sharp Leadenhall Planning Committee; and The Megaphone Project

Project Locations:


NameAddress 
Sharp Leadenhall
Leadenhall and Sharp streets
Baltimore, MD 21230
Project Partners/Supporters 
Sharp Leadenhall Planning Committee tinyurl.com/yke5h38

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Fax: 410-704-2152
E-mail: TUintheCommunity@towson.edu

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Last Updated: Wednesday March 31, 2010