Recent inspiration for the CERG project has arrived through the UPP Foundation Civic University Commission’s final report, Truly Civic: Strengthening the connection between universities and their places, and its desire to remove “perverse measurements” that inhibit local civic engagement projects.
“It is clear that some of the current measures of teaching and research – which are often designed by government, rather than universities – mitigate against civic activity. Removing those is vital and in particular:– Reducing the reliance of measures such as LEO (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes) in high stakes metrics such as TEF, that penalises universities for releasing graduates into regional labour markets with lower employment outcomes, or into self-employment which often involves a period of low/no wages. [And also] in things like the REF that ‘local research’ is by definition inferior to international research.”
Community Engagement Initiative 