Community Engagement Conference

Author: Nonkululeko Dlamini

The Community Engagement Conference at Rhodes University, held from 14-16 May 2024, showcased a remarkable diversity of research and practices across disciplines. Key highlights from the wrap-up speeches emphasised the evolving nature of community engagement, extending beyond traditional social sciences and humanities into fields like STEM and engineering. Notable presentations included interdisciplinary topics such as the role of invasive alien plants in community engagement and biological controls for clean water. The conference also highlighted the participation of international delegates, with impactful contributions from Chile, Kenya, and the US. This diversity underscored a collective movement towards integrating community engagement into various academic domains and fostering global collaboration.

Speakers at the conference stressed the importance of theoretical frameworks and critical reflection in community engagement practices. A recurring theme was the need to challenge and transform institutional structures and cultures to better support meaningful community partnerships. The concept of “critical service learning” was advocated, urging students to question and understand the socio-economic contexts of the communities they engage with. The keynote addresses emphasised the integration of teaching, research, and community engagement as a holistic approach to education.

Universities present highlighted the significant and fundamental outcomes of implementing engaged research to address societal challenges and generate mutual benefits in active collaboration with communities, stakeholders, and the public. Some of the outcomes as expressed below:

Enhanced Societal Impact: Research that is directly connected to community needs and problems can lead to more immediate and tangible benefits for society, addressing real-world issues more effectively.

Improved Relevance and Applicability: Engaged research often results in findings that are more applicable and useful to the community, ensuring that the research outcomes are relevant to current societal challenges.

Stronger Community Relationships: Building partnerships with communities and stakeholders can strengthen relationships and trust between universities and the public, fostering ongoing collaboration and mutual support.

Increased Funding Opportunities: Many funding bodies and grant agencies prioritize projects with a clear societal impact and community engagement component, potentially increasing funding opportunities for universities.

Enhanced Educational Experience: Students involved in engaged research gain practical experience, develop a deeper understanding of societal issues, and acquire skills that are highly valued in the job market, such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engaged research often requires collaboration across disciplines, fostering a more integrated and holistic approach to problem-solving and innovation within the university.

Policy Influence: Research that involves and addresses the needs of the community is more likely to inform and influence public policy, leading to broader societal changes and improvements.

Institutional Reputation: Universities that actively engage with their communities and demonstrate a commitment to societal impact can enhance their reputation and attract students, faculty, and partners who are motivated by these values.

Overall, the implementation of engaged research in universities can create a more dynamic, responsive, and impactful research environment, benefiting both the academic institution and society as a whole.

The conference concluded with a call to action, encouraging participants to carry forward the spirit of community engagement with a focus on creating sustainable, impactful change in society.