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The Civic University: A Legal and Policy Vacuum?

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Learning Through Community Engagement

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Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to define, characterise and critique the concept of the ‘civic university’ (Goddard J, Re-inventing the civic university, 2009) from scholarly, legislative and policy domains within the context of Ireland, drawing from international and national dimensions. The rationale and context for universities to play a civic role within society has been well documented within the literature and this chapter seeks to ascertain if these convincing arguments exist within a legal and policy vacuum or plenum within Ireland. An opening quote from the current President of Ireland forms the foundation of this chapter, where he posits that the fundamental challenge for universities is to be both apart as a critical agent and a part of society playing a pivotal civically engaged role in terms of the application of knowledge towards the common good of society (Higgins MD, Remarks by President Michael D. Higgins at the launch of the Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, Galway. Available at http://www.president.ie/speeches/launch-of-the-irish-centre-for-autism-and-neurodevelopmental-research/. Accessed 1 Oct 2012, 2012).

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Acknowledgments

This chapter originally appeared as: McIlrath. L (2015). La Universidad Cívica ¿Un vacío legal y político?. Profesorado. Revista de currículum y formación del profesorado. 19(1), 26–40. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

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  1. Community Knowledge Initiative, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Lorraine McIlrath

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  1. Lorraine McIlrath
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Correspondence to Lorraine McIlrath .

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  1. Macquarie University School of Education, Sydney, Australia

    Judyth Sachs

  2. PACE, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

    Lindie Clark

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McIlrath, L. (2017). The Civic University: A Legal and Policy Vacuum?. In: Sachs, J., Clark, L. (eds) Learning Through Community Engagement. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0999-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0999-0_2

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