Scholarship, students, and practitioners: bringing scholarship into the expectations of practitioners

Increased attention is being given to bridging the gap separating thanatology researchers and practitioners. College undergraduates studying to be human service professionals represent a cohort with a significant stake in bridging this gap. Inculcating in college students expectations as well as expertise to use research as practitioners not only makes sense but also is an ethical obligation for college faculty. Two noteworthy models of academic practice-Boyer's vision of scholarship and Schon's idea of reflective practice-provide a conceptual framework for faculty engaging practitioners-in-the-making in the use of research. An example of one effort to engage students in such learning is offered, along with discussion of some implications and alternatives.