Community Engaged Learning refers to a 'course-based, credit-bearing educational experience that allows students to, (a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility' (Bringle and Hatcher, 1995)   

As the first Irish third-level institution to make cooperative educational placements core to every programme, the University of Limerick has pioneered community-engaged learning since its very foundation.

As the interest in civic engagement at third level has grown, UL continues to lead.

CWELL programme graduates pose in front of St John's castle, Limerick

Community Engaged Learning at UL

Co-designed with local communities, the CWELL diploma programme works with a range of local partners to offer community wellness, empowerment, leadership and life skills. Every year, CWELL students are joined by graduate students on the Professional Diploma in Civic Engagement and the Masters programme in Community Research to devise, develop and deliver community-based projects to address identified needs.

As well as enabling UL students to experience community learning, we are keen for communities to learn with UL. The UL Access Office provides support and encouragement to primary, post-primary and third level students from under-represented socio-economic backgrounds. These supports are offered across a number of programmes. Primary schools are supported by the Academy for Children programme.  Second level students are supported by a variety of programmes run in-school and on-campus.

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Engaged Learning resources

Comhrá is the Irish word for conversation or chat. Comhrá video vignettes present a series of curated conversations with a variety of community partners, giving their insights, advice and experiences regarding best practices in community engagement and Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR).

Each video presents a selection of conversations around key themes in community engagement praxis including:

  • conflict resolution
  • places and spaces
  • partnership building
  • communication etc.