Networks

Living Knowledge

CKI has recently joined the International Science Shop Network through its new programme Engaging People in Communities-EPIC- which promotes Community-Engaged Research and many other forms of Knowledge Exchange. The International Living Knowledge Network (LK)aims at giving citizens access to scientific research and it is for people interested in building partnerships for public access to research. Members of the network exchange information, documentation, ideas, experiences and expertise on community-based research and science and society relations in general.

Talloires Network

In 2009, University of Galway became a member of the Talloires Network hosted at Tufts University, Boston.

The Talloires Network is an international association of institutions committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education. These institutions together to implement the recommendations of the Talloires Declaration and build a global movement of engaged universities. University of Galway has endorsed the Talloires Declaration and has agreed to the following:

- Expand civic engagement and social responsibility programmes in an ethical manner, through teaching, research and public service.
- Embed public responsibility through personal example and the policies and practices of our higher education institutions.
- Create institutional frameworks for the encouragement, reward and recognition of good practice in social service by students, faculty, staff and their community partners.
- Ensure that the standards of excellence, critical debate, scholarly research and peer judgment are applied as rigorously to community engagement as they are to other forms of university endeavor.
- Foster partnerships between universities and communities to enhance economic opportunity, empower individuals and groups, increase mutual understanding and strengthen the relevance, reach and responsiveness of university education and research.
- Raise awareness within government, business, media, charitable, not-for-profit and international organizations about contributions of higher education to social advancement and wellbeing. Specifically, establish partnerships with government to strengthen policies that support higher education's civic and socially responsible efforts. Collaborate with other sectors in order to magnify impacts and sustain social and economic gains for our communities.
- Establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools, and other institutions of further and higher education, so that education for active citizenship becomes an integral part of learning at all levels of society and stages of life.
- Document and disseminate examples of university work that benefit communities and the lives of their members.
- Support and encourage international, regional and national academic associations in their efforts to strengthen university civic engagement efforts and create scholarly recognition of service and action in teaching and research.
- Speak out on issues of civic importance in our communities.

MacJannet Prize

The MacJannet Prize was established by the Talloires Network and the MacJannet Foundation to recognise exceptional student community engagement initiatives at Talloires Network member universities and contributes financially to their ongoing public service efforts.

In 2009, University of Galway was a MacJannet Prize finalist through the Clinical Legal Education programme which was the first of its kind in Ireland. Final year students in University of Galway's Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) programme put their theoretical knowledge and legal skills to work in the wider community. They undertake "real world" placements on a part-time, one semester basis as opposed to sitting a traditional academic module. They earn academic credit, enhance their practical legal skills and, because most of the placements are with organisations and practitioners that work on behalf of the marginalised, see how law can be used to advance the public interest.In 2010, University of Galway's Community Awareness Initiatives Responsibly-Directed by Engineers (CAIRE) received second prize. CAIRDE is a service-learning programme where all third-year Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering students apply academic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs. Established in 2003 by Professor Abhay Pandit, it became an embedded part of the undergraduate Mechanical, Biomedical, and Electrical Engineering programs as part of a required module that previously had been solely lecture-based. The emphasis is on interacting directly with intended beneficiaries of projects.

Campus Compact 

In 2005, University of Galway become the first non-US based university to join Campus Compact.

Campus Compact is a USA coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents-representing some 6 million students-who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact promotes public and community service that develops students' citizenship skills, helps campuses forge effective community partnerships, and provides resources and training for faculty seeking to integrate civic and community-based learning into the curriculum. Campus Compact's membership includes public, private, two- and four-year institutions across the spectrum of higher education.Campus Compact advances the public purposes of colleges and universities by deepening their ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.On joining Campus Compact, University of Galway became a signatory of the Presidents' Declaration on the Civic Responsibility of Higher Education which commits the university to the persuit of civic responsibility.