The project
Staff of the study programme Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies (CAOS) noticed that students would like to make an impact with their research. The students want to actively contribute to changing society and the environment. At the same time, the study programme strives to increase the intrinsic motivation of its students. Edwin aims to use his Comenius Senior Fellowship to develop a Socially Engaged Learning (SEL)-methodology that can be integrated in the students’ curriculum. Edwin: “What this means is that we want to introduce new methodologies in the Bachelor’s programme, such as developing a ‘theory of change’ and more participatory research methods, in order to enable students to collect research data while involving the participants. We want to emphasise impact evaluation, meaning that students are encouraged to reflect more on their actions and their role in the field.” Edwin furthermore wants to promote ‘Real-World Learning’ by developing Academic Citizenship Labs (ACLs) in which students actively participate in community-oriented learning. The emphasis will be on a sustainable cooperation between teachers, students, and community partners in order to create engaged professionals who contribute to change and sustainable development.
The project mixes well with the study programme. “The study programme has already been using participatory forms of research for a long time, and it also uses art based methods, for instance. Besides, both our teachers and our students are very socially engaged. We notice that students who choose to do our study programme want to make a difference in terms of inequality, diversity, or the environment; our three key themes. Thus, the project matches perfectly with what we are already doing and what we want to improve.”
The process surrounding the request
Edwin applied for the Comenius grant in September of 2023. He had to write a preliminary application and multiple versions of his project. He received reviews and had to write a rebuttal, and eventually, in June of 2024, he was told that he would be awarded the grant. “I was extremely happy of course! I carefully launched the project within the faculty as a great idea that could be interesting for the entire faculty. Receiving this grant feels like an affirmation that it truly is a good idea that is worth exploring further.”
The committee decides who gets the grant based on several criteria. Edwin tells us that innovation is one of the important ones. “There are similar initiatives that are community-oriented, for instance. We were critical of taking a strictly community-oriented view, because we believe that there is also more beyond the community.” Other criteria include the feasibility of the project, the impact on the quality of education, and the mission and vision for professional development.”
The next step
The first few meetings are a fact and now it is important to create a clear time frame. “We will start with the exploratory phase of the co-creative process. We will also start developing a ‘theory of change’, which is a model in which we formulate the goals of the project and how we want to make an impact. We will do extensive research by evaluating similar initiatives and talking to partners from, for instance, the UK and the KU Leuven. We will also conduct an extensive literature review. In September of next year, we will start a pilot version of the project in two courses, and we are launching a pilot of the first Academic Citizenship Lab in March.” Edwin emphasises that it is important to keep reflecting and evaluating. After all, the well-being and intrinsic motivation of the students are at the core of the project, as well as the societal impact and the students’ processing of this impact.
Edwin has some helpful tips for colleagues who may want to apply for a similar grant in the future. “It is important to present a plan that is both innovative and feasible. The correct framing is just as important; it needs to look as though everything has already been planned in great detail and that the project is ready to go at any moment. Also keep your audience in mind; ensure that your project is didactically sound. Furthermore, the main applicant needs to have sufficient educational experience and a clear, fitting vision on education.” Lastly, Edwin advises to put together a good and enthusiastic team.
Updates on this project are available through the Teaching and Learning Centre, which regularly organises lunch meetings where Edwin will talk about the developments regarding the SEL-project.