'It starts with conversations': Civic Engagement in the College of Social Sciences

Armstrong, S. and Fletcher, M. (2021) 'It starts with conversations': Civic Engagement in the College of Social Sciences. Discussion Paper. University of Glasgow, Glasgow.

Abstract

This report explores understandings and forms of civic engagement in the College of Social Sciences (CoSS), part of the University of Glasgow. It is based on a series of workshops run in the spring and summer of 2020 with colleagues in every School of CoSS. After discussing the wider context of the project, in the University’s development of a ‘civic university’ strategy (which in turn builds on a particular construction of this concept in the UK), the report shares key findings and perspectives on: the meaning of civic engagement to staff and students; examples of practices; the role of place in the notion of ‘civic’; the distinctive contribution of social sciences; motivations and barriers to do engagement work; and how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect or shape engagement for better or worse. The report concludes with recommendations for developing an engagement agenda. Reflecting widespread views, these aim to address concerns about structural inequalities both within the university itself as we as in the communities where engagement work is focused.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Discussion Paper)
• Keywords: Civic engagement, civic university, social sciences, Glasgow University, inequalities.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Armstrong, Professor Sarah and Fletcher, Professor Maria
• Authors: Armstrong, S., and Fletcher, M.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
• College/School: College of Social Sciences
• Publisher: University of Glasgow
• Published Online: 22 April 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Sarah Armstrong and Maria Fletcher
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the authors