Globally, there are growing calls for Higher Education Institutions to become more civically engaged
and socially relevant while increasing public interest in the impact of universities on their
localities and regions. Engaged Learning facilitates students to apply theory to real-world contexts
outside of the University and to co-produce knowledge with and for the community. Engaged
Learning provides students with the skills which increase their employability, and improve
their personal and professional development, while communities gain access to skills to help
develop, evaluate, or communicate their work with regard to actual societal challenges.
To enhance the knowledge and understanding of what constitutes a successful and sustainable
Engaged Learning programme an in-depth view is provided into practices from six institutional
contexts from six countries throughout Europe. Highlighted is the diversity and flexibility to be
found within Engaged Learning initiatives. However, the one constant is each initiative’s commitment
to a concept where reciprocity between the students, universities, and communities,
is prioritised. While the examples themselves differ in their structure and intended outcomes,
this diversity is a benefit of Engaged Learning and further cements the varied nature across the
disciplines and Europe
