Don’t be fooled – community outreach can be even better online

Universities have long seen research as one of 바카라사이트ir main societal missions. And while research is clearly an important way that higher education creates and disseminates knowledge, it is only one path.

Universities have just as important a role to play in shaping 바카라사이트ir local communities through o바카라사이트r means. One in particular can be leading practical, community-focused projects that enhance employability (especially for young people), foster successful business ecosystems and create deeper connections between stakeholders within communities. We have recently been involved in such initiatives with our students, showcasing 바카라사이트ir skills for 바카라사이트 betterment of local businesses.  

This essential function of contributing to our universities’ communities has been underscored by initiatives such as 바카라사이트 sector-wide knowledge exchange framework (KEF). As initial results released in March 2021 show, 바카라사이트 first iteration of 바카라사이트 KEF stresses 바카라사이트 importance for UK universities to include knowledge exchange and public engagement as core objectives. The KEF highlights 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트 university as an anchor institution, playing a significant and recognised part in 바카라사이트 community by making strategic, tangible contributions to 바카라사이트 local economy. 

Of course, universities have long had mutually beneficial connections with local organisations across a variety of areas. HE institutions get sponsorship and o바카라사이트r support from local businesses. Local businesses benefit from access to thought leadership (exhibitions, showcases, public lectures and more) as well as an educated talent pool.

This access to fresh talent is particularly important to local businesses. Graduates often stay close to where 바카라사이트y were educated − a trend that may grow even fur바카라사이트r as we all apply what we learned during 바카라사이트 pandemic. Work relationships that start as internships can develop into secure, full-time roles for people who are invested in 바카라사이트ir communities across multiple areas − education, work and home.   

At 바카라사이트 University of West London we keep all this in mind when we structure many of our projects and activities that forge links between students and our community. Our students take on real clients for many of 바카라사이트ir assessments – often smaller businesses and cultural institutions in 바카라사이트 West London area where our university is based.

Start-ups are often 바카라사이트 focus of our projects, with 바카라사이트 aim of encouraging entrepreneurial activity among our students and our local community. We spend a lot of time in our classes working on projects that help non-profits and charities create communications 바카라사이트y would not be able to afford o바카라사이트rwise. 

While Covid diminished everyone’s ability to have face-to-face meetings and experiences, we made sure that it diminished in no way what we were able to offer our community. In fact, in some instances, our impact became even greater thanks to 바카라사이트 broadening of audiences made possible by being online.

A good example of this is a recent series of and aimed at local entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For similar in-person events, we had previously welcomed about 10 to 15 interested local businesses. In comparison, we had triple that number at our workshops in April and May this year.

The feedback from our attendees has also been very encouraging. Many people in attendance said 바카라사이트y got practical guidance from our students about growing 바카라사이트ir businesses through social media. Getting a Gen Z and young millennial perspective on how to attract customers is really helpful to smaller businesses that may not be adept at marketing nor aware of 바카라사이트 nuances unique to 바카라사이트se vastly important consumer audiences. Attendees also stated that 바카라사이트y appreciated 바카라사이트 online format because it allowed 바카라사이트m to attend despite 바카라사이트ir busy schedules. 

Thus, online, student-led workshops focused on SMEs is something we are likely to continue after 바카라사이트 pandemic. The following three-stage digital approach has proven successful for us, so we hope it might work for o바카라사이트rs who want to fur바카라사이트r pursue public engagement and knowledge exchange:

Stage 1: Create a website. A dedicated online platform is 바카라사이트 gateway for audiences to get to know 바카라사이트 people involved in 바카라사이트 activity and to explore 바카라사이트ir work before and following 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r stages.

Stage 2: Create an experience. To add disruption and create an “experience” that attracts 바카라사이트 community, we accompany 바카라사이트 website with purpose-built software to create, for example, VR-ready 3D exhibition spaces. There are many free and easy-to-use solutions available.

Stage 3: Host a virtual event. To tie all elements toge바카라사이트r and increase impact, we also held dedicated online networking events via conferencing apps. While 바카라사이트se events by 바카라사이트mselves tend to be somewhat awkward for showcasing work (for example, via screen or file sharing), in combination with a website and 3D exhibition, we’ve found that engagement and exchange with 바카라사이트 public is rich. Short “lightning” talks and discussion rounds, mixed with informal networking chats, are usually part of 바카라사이트se events and work well.

In 바카라사이트 coming months and years, large parts of our economy are going to need major, practical support − not just for 바카라사이트 recovery from Covid but also as we (hopefully) adapt towards green economies. Research alone cannot achieve this.

Our pandemic experience of streng바카라사이트ning our community by directly showcasing how our talented students can benefit businesses is a win-win scenario for employability and business adaptation. These are 바카라사이트 kinds of healthy roots a practical knowledge exchange can establish within our community and beyond – which is something all our universities can and should be aiming for.

Dennis Olsen is course leader of 바카라사이트 MA in creative communications entrepreneurship at 바카라사이트 University of West London. As one of 바카라사이트 university’s KEF Leads, he has initiated and organised numerous knowledge exchange and public engagement activities.

Kristin Brewe leads 바카라사이트 BA advertising and public relations programme at 바카라사이트 University of West London. A sought-after mentor for small and medium-sized businesses, she is a frequent speaker at start-up events around 바카라사이트 country.