Community needs and interests in university–community partnerships for sustainable development
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 2 November 2020
Issue publication date: 22 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the broad concept of university–community partnerships as it applies to creating sustainability initiatives. The benefits of university–community partnerships are increasingly recognized, and this paper offers direct insights from community stakeholders on the principles, functions and activities they see as foundational to effective university–community partnerships in northern British Columbia.
Design/methodology/approach
CommunityStudio was a co-learning partnership that sought to place students into the community and region to collaborate with community/government partners on interdisciplinary projects identified by the city, regional district or other community stakeholders. Through key informant interviews and a thematic analysis, the authors examine the expressed needs that CommunityStudio partners identified as key to ensuring such collaborations are mutually beneficial.
Findings
Within the community/regional development context of northern British Columbia, community experience highlights the importance of equity and inclusion, flexible programme design and an institutional culture that supports risk taking in teaching and learning as keys to the success of university–community partnerships.
Originality/value
This work contributes to calls for knowledge-based institutions such as universities to act as catalysts for social innovation within regional contexts outside of major metropolitan urban centres.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the vital ideas, concepts and support contributed by those who participated in CommunityStudio interviews, workshops and presentations. We acknowledge as well, the financial support of our university (RSIG 6005740) and the work of the CommunityStudio Steering Committee members.
Declaration of Interest Statement: None of the authors will receive ongoing financial interest from this work. Two of the authors were employed as student assistants as part of the initiative and so did receive wages for their work as a financial benefit. These contracts are now complete and no further benefit will accrue.
Citation
Groulx, M., Nowak, N., Levy, K. and Booth, A. (2021), "Community needs and interests in university–community partnerships for sustainable development", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 274-290. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2020-0086
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited