The engagement CUBE: a dialogical tool for designing, facilitating and monitoring engaged research and teaching strategies
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 11 October 2021
Issue publication date: 26 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Community engaged research and learning strategies are considered meaningful methods for universities to demonstrate their critical importance to today’s societies. At the same time, it is stressed that not all approaches are equally beneficial, highlighting the need for well-considered design and delivery. This paper aims to outline a helpful tool in this regard: the engagement CUBE.
Design/methodology/approach
The engagement CUBE was developed by a learning community set-up at a Belgian university to explore the potential of engaged practices for meeting both needs and assets of its urban surroundings. A series of learning circles was organized for discussing recent research findings, experiences and ambitions with engaged campus-community initiatives and support targeted (re)design.
Findings
The CUBE is a helpful instrument for navigating the complex fabric of engaged practices. It is to be used as a dialogic tool, facilitating collaborative meaning negotiation and decision-making among participants in engagement strategies. Its purpose is both to help design a supportive environment for establishing partnerships that build on shared ownership and mutual learning, as to stimulate capacity-building for taking responsible change-oriented action.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the existing literature on engaged teaching and research by emphasizing the need of acknowledging conflict as an important condition for fostering insightful learning and genuine transformation. The authors will argue that adopting a conflict perspective also allows for a more critical examination of the emerging concept of university social responsibility.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors of this article would like to thank everyone who has been participating in the learning community for the insightful learnings and sharings.
Citation
Moriau, L., Tondeur, J., Bertone, J., Huysmans, M., Temmerman, M. and Meurs, P. (2022), "The engagement CUBE: a dialogical tool for designing, facilitating and monitoring engaged research and teaching strategies", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 783-798. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2021-0126
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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