What is Community Engaged Learning?
Community-based learning is a useful ‘catch-all’ term for a variety of approaches that are often shaped by the discipline, the different motives and perspectives
of staff delivering programmes, the communities involved and their requirements, the nature of the institution, the level of study, and the students themselves.
It can make a significant contribution to how universities realise social value through research, teaching, knowledge exchange. In particular:
Empowering Students
It enables undergraduate and postgraduate students to learn how to develop positive, mutually beneficial relationships with local communities and organisations – allowing them to fulfil their desire to contribute to social justice while creating their own capabilities and professional standards.
Knowledge Exchange
It can help foster Knowledge Exchange activity, providing consultancy and placements to SMEs, supporting creativity and start-ups, whilst simultaneously helping students develop entrepreneurial mindsets.
Connected Research and Community Support
It can connect education and research, enabling students to develop their capabilities as more engaged, connected and empathetic researchers.
Communities often see it as a core part of their educational mission to support Undergraduate students. At the same time, they may gain access to the resources and knowledge within the University
The website copy and case studies used on this site have been taken from: Taking stock of Engaged Learning: How universities are supporting community-based and service-learning The research team was led by NCCPE Senior Associate David Owen and Co-Director Paul Manners, alongside Andrew Pitchford, Head of the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation at the University of Westminster. We are grateful to everyone who contributed case studies and insights to this work.
Where to go for more support
Service-Learning/Community Engaged Learning (SL/CEL) Network in the UK:
The Service-Learning/Community Engaged Learning (SL/CEL) Network in the United Kingdom (UK) aims to become the national Community of Practice for HE practitioners who work in partnership withcommunities for positive social change and for enhancing student learning.
PerCIE Network:
The national Personalised Care Interprofessional Education group (PerCIE) is a growing partnership across over 30 UK HEI’s, and includes representatives from Public Health, HEE, Placement Learning staff , VCSE organisations and students.
Live projects network:
Live Projects are also referred to as “Design Build Projects”, “Live Build Projects”, “Real Projects” and “Service-Learning”.
Talloires Network of Engaged Universities:
The Talloires Network of Engaged Universities is a growing global coalition of 427 university presidents, vice-chancellors and rectors in 85 countries who have publicly committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of their institutions.
Living Knowledge Network:
An international network of Science Shops and Community Based Research. The network aims to foster public engagement with, and participation in all levels of the research and innovation process.
International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement:
The IARSLCE is as a network that consolidates the value of Service-Learning and Community Engagement for our understanding of the world and communities and has helped launch the scholarship of many publicly engaged researchers.
CIRCLET:
CIRCLET has produced resources for academic staff, including an online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module.
Five steps to developing a Community Engaged Learning programme, module or project (UCL)
This toolkit sets out approaches to curriculum design when working with external partners in the community to enhance the student experience.
The Enhancing Responsible Research and Innovation through Curricula in Higher Education (EnRRICH):
This project aims to build the capacity of staff in higher education to facilitate their students’ development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies in responsible research and innovation and respond to the research needs of society, particularly underserved civil society organisations (CSOs).
Campus Engage based at the Irish Universities Association (IUA):
This promotes and supports civic and community engagement (CCE) as a core function of Irish higher education.
UNESCO Chair for Community-Based Research and Social Responsibility:
The UNESCO Chair supports North-South and South-South partnerships that build on and enhance the emerging consensus in a knowledge democracy.
European Association of Service Learning in Higher Education (EASLHE):
This association aims to support the development of practice, research, institutionalisation and policy-making with regard to service-learning.
Community Engaged Learning 