Global Research Agenda for Service-Learning and Community Engagement

An Update

We are excited to share that the Global Research Agenda for Service-Learning and Community Engagement is now complete. This publication 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 .

What’s Next: Writing Circles & Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

In response to strong interest in using the research agenda content for collaborative scholarship, we are:

  • Finalizing a formal usage agreement to support ethical, transparent, and collaborative use of the research agenda.

  • Developing a series of orientation workshops that will guide participants through access, analysis strategies, and publication pathways.

  • Launching cross-institutional Writing Circles and SIGs, designed to support mentorship, collaboration, and the production of joint scholarly outputs aligned with the GRA themes and regional agendas.

Proposed Timeline

  • February–March 2026: Information sessions introducing the data, governance framework, and publication possibilities

  • April–May 2026: Orientation workshops and formation of Writing Circles/SIGs (by theme, region, or methodology)

  • June 2026 and Beyond: Active writing, peer feedback, mentoring, and collaborative publication development

We hope you will consider continuing this work with us—as co-authors, collaborators, and stewards of a truly global research endeavor. To receive additional details regarding access instructions and workshop dates, please complete this interest form.

Background

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). These forums were part of a broader global initiative to strengthen the study and practice of SLCE across educational systems. 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. Although the 2020 IARSLCE Conference was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the forums continued virtually, maintaining momentum in this vital work. More than 25 sessions were held with over 700 participants across 44 countries representing the global SLCE interest in future direction for the field.

  • Each gathering was designed to engage scholars, practitioners, and community partners from the region in capturing in their respective agenda the cultural and geographic nuances that best characterize their region’s service-learning and community engagement research and practice.

  • These sessions brought together practitioners, partners, researchers, and scholars to share their perspectives on the key questions and issues that should guide future research in the field. The meetings were divided into two parts: 1) Analyzing the Data: Review the research questions and themes identified by participants in previous meetings, with a focus on prioritizing the most relevant issues, and 2) Prioritizing Themes: Participants collaborated to select specific research questions from prioritized themes.