Ep 4: Lessons and Reflections on Engaged Learning in the European Context: Forming mutual partnerships between university and community through the CaST Erasmus+ Initiative.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr Courtney Marsh, a senior researcher at Ghent University. 

Click HERE for Accessible Transcript

Our discussion covers a wide range of themes around Engaged Learning in the European context and forming mutual partnerships between university and community through the Interdisciplinary Consortia (IDC) at Ghent University and the Community and Students Together (CaST) Erasmus+ Initiative.

Dr Marsh talks about the importance of doing community and social research, making real world connections and societal impact through international partnerships. She says that the IDC helps to facilitate and even stimulate new collaboration and then deepen what’s already there.

We talk about her own learning background, how she wishes she had been given an opportunity to participate in engaged learning in her own community, and finding a passion for teaching through her research projects.  We also discuss the impacts of Covid_19 on the adaptability, design and efficacy of CaST initiative, nationally and internationally, and so much more!

Near the end of our discussion, we engage in a jolly mini-rant on the importance of of rethinking ‘pretentious academic writing’ and why disseminating research to the community in plain language, that is easily understood and relatable is being inclusive rather than being so exclusive.

*Warning* A single expletive is casually dropped in the last 5 minutes of the episode

Here are some links you may be interested in. 

Twitter: @Crime_UGent

https://www.ugent.be/crime/en

https://www.cast-euproject.eu/