Service Learning as a Community of Practice in Irish Higher Education: Understanding Cultural and Historical Nuances

Service learning is a pedagogical approach that connects student learning to real world needs through civic engagement. This qualitative research paper1 explores enactments of service learning and conceptions of civic engagement within an Irish university. The perspectives of those engaging in the pedagogy operating as a community of practice are presented, in order to understand the cultural and historical contextual influences. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with the community of practice participants in service learning (university leaders, students, academics, community partners and staff at the centre for civic engagement); review of key institutional documents and reflective practitioner journals undertaken. The inquiry indicates that cultural and historical context matters when conceiving of and enacting service learning as a community of practice within Ireland. These findings align with other studies and the paper draws points of discussion, reflection, and conclusion in terms of implications for the field.