Includes bibliographical references and index.

Speaking truth to empower -- Seeing the big picture, part 1 : understanding the debate -- Seeing the big picture, part 2 : mastering the rules of the game -- Effective networking -- Communicating outside of the academy -- Using traditional media outlets to connect with the world -- Using social media to connect with the world (co-authored with Scott Swenson) -- In the heat of the moment : managing public conflict -- Sustainable engagement : how to stay productive.

The Public Professor is a practical guide for academics who want to use their research to influence public debates, policy decisions, and social change. Drawing on her own experience as a scholar-activist in the field of economics and LGBTQ+ rights, M. V. Lee Badgett offers a roadmap for engaging with broader audiences beyond academia.

The book outlines how scholars can translate complex research into accessible, impactful formats such as op-eds, media interviews, blogs, legislative testimony, and collaboration with advocacy organizations. Badgett discusses the challenges of navigating academic norms, maintaining credibility, and finding time and institutional support for public engagement.

Each chapter blends advice with real-world examples from scholars who’ve successfully bridged academia and public life. It emphasizes that being a “public intellectual” doesn’t require fame—just commitment, clarity, and strategic action.