EASLHE has been a key actor in the collection and analysis of data for the European Region in the Global Research Agenda for Service-Learning and Community Engagement of IARSLCE. The European Service-Learning Research Agenda is a result of this collaboration.
WHY DO WE NEED A EUROPEAN RESEARCH AGENDA ON SERVICE-LEARNING?
The vision of EASLHE is to foster a network of academics who value high-quality education, social justice, and civic engagement, and by doing so contribute to the institutionalization of the service-learning pedagogy. To facilitate this process, research on service-learning is indispensable. Through different research epistemologies and methodologies, studies help understand (and overcome) barriers to institutionalization in the European Higher Education Area. Additionally, a better understanding of the social actors involved in SL in the diversity of European contexts is needed.
While there is an increase in service-learning research in Europe in recent years, a need remains for stronger empirical research. Here is where a European Service-Learning Research Agenda shows its relevance, by identifying lines of action under the guidance of a common goal: a prosperous, democratic, fair an sustainable higher education and society.
THE GLOBAL RESEARCH AGENDA FOR SERVICE-LEARNING
& COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
IARSLCE Reseach Agenda Project
In 2019, the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) launched a series of research data collection forums to gather insights from scholars, practitioners, researchers, and community partners in the field of Service-Learning and Community Engagement (SLCE). The sessions were designed to identify pressing issues and key research questions that should shape the future of SLCE scholarship. The ultimate goal was to develop a Global Research Agenda to guide research in the field for years to come, identifying key research questions and topics.
The Global Research Agenda was finalized in March 2026. It reflects the voices of nearly 700 participants across 44 countries and represents more than 6,700 research questions gathered through 29 data input forums worldwide. Together, these contributions form a living framework for advancing service-learning and community engagement scholarship globally.
EASLHE's role in the process
Throughout the Global Research Agenda Project, IARSLCE organized 29 research agenda data-gathering forums, focusing on identifying key research questions and issues across ten areas: impact; implementation; institutionalization; theory and conceptual frameworks; instruments and measures; replication; cross-cultural and cross-national; equity and diversity; COVID/post-COVID; and methodology.
Within Europe, a total of five research agenda data-gathering fora were held and hosted by members of various Eurpopean service-learning and community engagement groups in the following settings:
- September 2019 – Antwerp, Belgium – 2nd European Conference on Service-Learning in Higher Education
- May 2020 – Galway, Ireland – National University of Ireland, Galway
- July 2020 – Bratislava, Slovakia – 3rd European Conference on Service-Learning in Higher Education (virtual)
- June 2023 – Munich, Germany – Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich (virtual)
- September 2023 – Rome, Italy – 6th European Conference on Service-Learning in Higher Education
The data collected during these five fora served as a basis for the Regional Data Analysis Meeting in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 and 21 November 2024, organized by IARSLHE in collaboration with EASLHE. During this meeting, representatives from all over Europe analysed the data that reflect European perspectives on the key research questions and issues that the service-learning and community engagement fields need to explore in the future. Participants identified, discussed, prioritised and set the key research questions for each of the ten agenda sections.
TO A EUROPEAN SERVICE-LEARNING RESEARCH AGENDA
The European Research Agenda Results
The content of this part of the Global Research Agenda is based on an analysis of 508 research questions and items submitted by 65 individuals who participated in the five forums held in Europe between September 2019 and September 2023. While these forums were held in Europe, two of them included individuals from other regions. The questions and items were categorized and prioritized by 24 service-learning and community engagement scholars, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe who participated in a two-day data analysis meeting held in Antwerp, Belgium, 21-22 November 2024. The results of their analyses and discussions are presented in this document.
The European Research Agenda Action Plan
At the 8th European Conference on Service-Learning in Higher Education, members of EASLHE came together to discuss the outcomes of the European Research Agenda and to engage in a collaborative process to refine key items, laying the foundation for a shared European vision and future research directions within the EASLHE network.
This meeting resulted in a European Service-Learning Research Agenda Action Plan, highlighting the key action points for EASLHE and the EASLHE Research Working Group for the upcoming three years.