By John Melton, Strategic Partnerships Portfolio Lead / 5 September 2024
My Strive Higher colleagues have written previously about Civic Place and how university strategy can contribute to Civic Mission. Building on their insights, this article explores how universities can measure the effectiveness of their civic partnerships.
Universities are increasingly emphasising their role in fostering civic partnerships, aiming to demonstrate value beyond the traditional spheres of teaching and research. Civic University Agreements (CUAs) are a strategic tool in formalising these partnerships, outlining commitments between universities and the communities they serve. However, while CUAs provide a useful framework, there is a need for universities to take a holistic approach when assessing the effectiveness of these civic partnerships. This article suggests various approaches for evaluating civic engagement in higher education, using CUAs as a starting point to encourage a broader discussion on creating a whole institutional evaluation strategy.
Civic University Agreements
Civic University Agreements are formalised commitments between universities and local stakeholders, including government bodies, businesses, and community organisations. These agreements typically focus on shared goals such as economic development, social inclusion, cultural enrichment, and environmental sustainability.
However, assessing the impact of these agreements presents significant challenges. Traditional higher education metrics, such as graduation rates, research outputs, and student employability, do not fully capture the extent of a university's civic engagement. As such, there is a need for more a nuanced approach to measuring the outcomes of CUAs and other forms of civic partnerships.
The Complexity of Measuring Civic Engagement
Measuring civic engagement in higher education is incredibly complex due to the diverse and varied nature of civic partnerships. These partnerships can encompass a wide range of activities, from community-based research and regeneration projects to industry partnerships and policy advocacy. Given this complexity, developing a one-size-fits-all approach to evaluation is challenging.
Also, the outcomes of civic engagement often include intangible benefits, like increased social capital, strengthened community trust, and enhanced resilience. Such outcomes are difficult to quantify using conventional metrics, so any effort to measure civic partnerships must incorporate both quantitative and qualitative metrics, while also considering the broader social, economic, and cultural context in which these partnerships operate.
Methodologies for Measuring Civic Partnerships
When considering how to evaluate civic partnerships, universities would do well to take a holistic approach that integrates various methodologies. The tools described below are just a few examples of the methodologies that universities can consider when looking to assess the impact of civic engagement in higher education:
Impact Assessment Frameworks
Impact assessment frameworks evaluate the outcomes of specific initiatives or projects. In the context of civic partnerships, these frameworks can assess the extent to which a university's engagement activities align with the objectives outlined in a CUA. This approach is especially valuable for assessing long-term impacts like improvements in community well-being or shifts in public policy.
Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Social Return on Investment (SROI) assigns a monetary value to the social, environmental, and economic benefits generated by a project or initiative. SROI is particularly effective for demonstrating the value of civic partnerships to external stakeholders, such as funders or policymakers, who may be more accustomed to financial metrics. By quantifying the social impact of civic engagement activities, SROI provides universities with a powerful tool to showcase contributions to the community.
Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) actively involves community members in the design, implementation, and evaluation of research projects. CBPR is particularly effective for measuring the impact of civic partnerships because it ensures that the voices of community stakeholders are heard and that their needs and priorities are reflected in the evaluation process. This approach also helps build trust between universities and communities, which is essential for the long-term success of any civic partnership.
Longitudinal Studies
Longitudinal studies track the outcomes of civic partnerships over an extended period of time. This approach is particularly useful for measuring the long-term impact of university-community engagement, as it allows researchers to observe changes in community well-being, social cohesion, and economic development over time.
Toward a Whole Institutional Evaluation Approach
The methodologies highlighted above can provide universities with valuable insights, but they are more effective when used as part of a broader, whole institutional approach to evaluating effectiveness. This approach involves integrating civic engagement metrics into the university's overall evaluation framework, ensuring that civic partnerships are considered alongside other core activities, such as teaching and research.
Key Components of a Whole Institutional Evaluation Approach
When working towards a whole-institutional evaluation approach, universities would do well to consider the following components:
Conclusion
As universities continue to expand their civic partnerships through initiatives like Civic University Agreements, the need for effective methodologies to measure the impact of these engagements becomes increasingly important. By adopting a whole institutional evaluation approach that integrates multiple methodologies, universities can effectively demonstrate their positive impact on communities and ensure that their civic partnerships are both effective and sustainable.
Strive Higher are committed to empowering the sector and collaborating with universities to champion social and economic justice.
If you're interested in exploring how to enhance your university's civic engagement or develop a civic university agreement, get in touch.