About

This collection of rapid evidence reviews draws on a range of research, case studies and stakeholder interviews to provide insight into four focus areas of university civic impact:

  • sites of meaningful engagement between students and local communities
  • the impact of university green spaces on the wellbeing of communities, staff and students
  • what constitutes civic climate education
  • the role of universities and further education colleges in meeting local skills gaps.

The literature reviews offer valuable insights into what is currently known about universities’ role in each of these topics and identify gaps and opportunities for further research.

Civic Universities and Climate Education

This review brings together recent literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples, to understand the state of climate education in England. With an ultimate focus on challenging the role of universities in delivering a climate education, this publication looks at who is influencing the climate education agenda, how climate education is being delivered, and existing challenges and potential opportunities for climate education. It calls for a place-based, holistic approach to climate education, in which universities can work collaboratively to achieve a common goal and contribute to addressing the climate emergency.

 

Civic Universities and Green Spaces

This paper reviews evidence around the relationship between green space, health and wellbeing in the context of universities. It highlights some key mechanisms through which green spaces achieve a positive impact on wellbeing – as spaces for physical activity, as social infrastructures, and as mitigation against the impacts of climate change — to inform the ways in which universities might use and manage their green spaces.  It also provides two practical tools for both the public and institutions to reflect on how university green spaces can be managed to better contribute to the health and wellbeing of communities across the UK.

 

Civic Universities and Regional Skills Gaps

Recognising the potential for greater collaboration between universities and further education colleges, this review explores the types and impacts of different collaborations, with a focus on challenges in the FE sector, the potential role of university-FE partnerships and the role of voluntary sector partners. The report shows that partnerships are desirable to allow for greater flexibility in education delivery, fostering opportunity and civic impact at a regional level. It also develops an initial typology of university-FE collaborations to be further tested in future research.

 

Civic Universities and their Neighbours

This review brings together literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples to explore sites and practices of meaningful engagement between university students and local communities. It looks at the known sites and practices of engagement, student and community experiences of engagement, and what conditions may make it meaningful for different actors involved. It finds that despite the growing demand for student civic engagement, there is little evidence of its impact for communities and place. The report presents opportunities for universities to broaden and improve their approach to student-community engagement, recognising that working equitably with communities is central to meaningful civic work.