Examining universities’ social and cultural contributions to their communities, this evidence review discusses universities as ‘place-makers’, bridging divides, the impacts of student volunteering, and how universities are supporting local arts and culture.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact of universities on their places, produced as part of the National Civic Impact Accelerator programme.
civic higher education social value
Published: December 2024 | Document ID: 468
Published: 2024
Delving into universities’ economic impact on their local areas, this review highlights universities as drivers of local employment and spending, the importance of supporting social mobility and graduate retention, how to foster innovation, and reviews alternative economic paradigms.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the ec…
Published: 2022
More than 6,300 assets are in community ownership in England today. This model plays an essential role in ensuring places are built on resilient entities and benefit those living locally. As well as improving service delivery and financial sustainability, community asset ownership has been found to reduce vacancy rates, enable ‘bottom-up’ r…
Published: 2022
This report considers the role of Higher Education Institutions in the climate action agenda. It explores how universities are responding to the ‘net zero’ challenge, how they are protecting and preparing places and communities from climate impacts, and how they might extend a ‘civic’ approach that works in partnership with other local …
Published: 2025
This review brings together recent literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples, to understand the state of climate education in England. With an ultimate focus on challenging the role of universities in delivering a climate education, this publication looks at who is influencing the climate education agenda, how climate educati…
Published: 2025
This paper reviews evidence around the relationship between green space, health and wellbeing in the context of universities. It highlights some key mechanisms through which green spaces achieve a positive impact on wellbeing – as spaces for physical activity, as social infrastructures, and as mitigation against the impacts of climate change …
Published: 2025
Recognising the potential for greater collaboration between universities and further education colleges and a lack of evidence on this topic, this review responds to the following questions: When are universities better placed to meet skills gaps, and when are FE colleges? How might they partner together to address a more localised skills agend…
Published: 2025
This review brings together literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples to explore sites and practices of meaningful engagement between university students and local communities. It looks at the known sites and practices of engagement in England, student and community experiences of engagement, and what conditions may make it m…
Published: 2024
Covering frameworks for ‘healthy universities’, partnerships with health networks, mental health support, and community health promotion, this review explores how universities can contribute to the health and wellbeing of their students, staff, and local communities.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and soci…
Published: 2024
Exploring how universities can contribute to a just transition to net zero carbon emissions, this review outlines key areas for university climate impact: reducing emissions, sharing knowledge for sustainability, and supporting local initiatives.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact of universities …
Published: 2024
Delving into universities’ economic impact on their local areas, this review highlights universities as drivers of local employment and spending, the importance of supporting social mobility and graduate retention, how to foster innovation, and reviews alternative economic paradigms.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the ec…
Published: 2022
More than 6,300 assets are in community ownership in England today. This model plays an essential role in ensuring places are built on resilient entities and benefit those living locally. As well as improving service delivery and financial sustainability, community asset ownership has been found to reduce vacancy rates, enable ‘bottom-up’ r…
Published: 2022
This report considers the role of Higher Education Institutions in the climate action agenda. It explores how universities are responding to the ‘net zero’ challenge, how they are protecting and preparing places and communities from climate impacts, and how they might extend a ‘civic’ approach that works in partnership with other local …
Published: 2025
This review brings together recent literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples, to understand the state of climate education in England. With an ultimate focus on challenging the role of universities in delivering a climate education, this publication looks at who is influencing the climate education agenda, how climate educati…
Published: 2025
This paper reviews evidence around the relationship between green space, health and wellbeing in the context of universities. It highlights some key mechanisms through which green spaces achieve a positive impact on wellbeing – as spaces for physical activity, as social infrastructures, and as mitigation against the impacts of climate change …
Published: 2025
Recognising the potential for greater collaboration between universities and further education colleges and a lack of evidence on this topic, this review responds to the following questions: When are universities better placed to meet skills gaps, and when are FE colleges? How might they partner together to address a more localised skills agend…
Published: 2025
This review brings together literature and evidence, alongside short case study examples to explore sites and practices of meaningful engagement between university students and local communities. It looks at the known sites and practices of engagement in England, student and community experiences of engagement, and what conditions may make it m…
Published: 2024
Covering frameworks for ‘healthy universities’, partnerships with health networks, mental health support, and community health promotion, this review explores how universities can contribute to the health and wellbeing of their students, staff, and local communities.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and soci…
Published: 2024
Exploring how universities can contribute to a just transition to net zero carbon emissions, this review outlines key areas for university climate impact: reducing emissions, sharing knowledge for sustainability, and supporting local initiatives.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact of universities …
Published: 2024
Delving into universities’ economic impact on their local areas, this review highlights universities as drivers of local employment and spending, the importance of supporting social mobility and graduate retention, how to foster innovation, and reviews alternative economic paradigms.
This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the ec…
Published: 2022
More than 6,300 assets are in community ownership in England today. This model plays an essential role in ensuring places are built on resilient entities and benefit those living locally. As well as improving service delivery and financial sustainability, community asset ownership has been found to reduce vacancy rates, enable ‘bottom-up’ r…
Published: 2022
This report considers the role of Higher Education Institutions in the climate action agenda. It explores how universities are responding to the ‘net zero’ challenge, how they are protecting and preparing places and communities from climate impacts, and how they might extend a ‘civic’ approach that works in partnership with other local …
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