An analysis of how Irish higher education institutions interpret, implement and evaluate the concept of engagement with community, enterprise and region

Irish higher education institutions (HEI) have always been involved in engagement, but it was only recently that it was formally specified as a core role in Irish legislation. HEI engagement is a contested concept with many definitions and is defined using a wide range of terminology. This study investigated how a small group of Irish HEI were implementing and undertaking community, enterprise and regional engagement from a social constructionism standpoint. Ernest Boyer’s views on scholarship and engagement were adopted as the theoretical framework. 

The study used a mixed methods approach that utilised a national HEI survey of executive staff and case studies from two HEI with three accompanying projects. Eleven interviews were held with HEI management, central services, academic staff and community representatives. The interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis theoretical approach informed by the literature review with findings at the institution and project level. The case study findings were combined into a multi-case report highlighting the overall findings. The report used Stake’s epistemological approach that allowed the reader to make their own judgements relative to their situation.

The study found that HEI had engagement in their mission, vision and strategic plans but that a lack of funding sources for implementing engagement into the HEI infrastructure, capabilities and processes was the major issue. Engagement activities were being undertaken across HEI but were delivered in isolation, which meant HEI had no complete picture of their overall engagement activities. Non-academic sources funded the three engagement projects studied. Relationships with funders and relationships between the project partners during project implementation were examined. The study proposed a new engagement project model that intertwined activity and agency theories. It would be used to evaluate current project operations or design proposed engagement projects' structures and operations.