Is a survey of Community Leaders a good idea? Measuring Community Engagement
Andy Nicolaides (University of Winchester)
Abstract
Key Performance Indicators to Community Surveys – the University of Winchester’s experience.
Introduction
As a case study University in the Committee of University Chairs study on the implementation of Key Performance Indicators by Governing Bodies, the University of Winchester decided to focus on Community Engagement. Community Engagement is an integral part of the University of Winchester’s mission “to educate, to advance knowledge and to serve the public good.” In accordance with the our self-assessment as a member of the international Talloires Network on Civic Roles and Social Responsibilities of Higher Education, the Board of Governors at the University of Winchester agreed that external survey research in the form of a Community Leaders' Perception Survey should be conducted every two to five years. This would enable a measure of public perception of the university and its community engagement activities. The survey was sent to Community Leaders from local businesses, the city and county council, public sector and voluntary sector organisations, schools and colleges. The external survey research was utilised as a basis for continuing our dialogue with community partners with regard to engagement activities. The survey sought to ascertain community leaders’ perceptions of the University’s reputation for teaching, research and partnerships with business. It also elicited the views of community leaders on ways in which the University could further serve the public good.
How to measure Community Engagement
Various models exist for measuring a University’s contribution to society, including the Higher Education Community Engagement Model developed for the Russell Group of UK research intensive universities, the Universities UK economic impact modelling system (developed by the University of Strathclyde) and the HEFCE Good practice Guidance Evaluating the regional contribution of an HEI - A benchmarking approach.
The international benchmarking tool for universities’ civic engagement developed by Sir David Watson for the Association of Commonwealth Universities is currently used by the Talloires Network as an initial assessment tool. As well as asking for an internal assessment of the University’s performance in terms of Community Engagement, it poses the question of the level of external confidence in the University’s performance.
Similarly, the Australian Universities University Community Engagement Alliance has developed a benchmarking pilot project which includes a hybrid approach involving self-evaluation, assessment by the community and the university in partnership, and metric assessment based on agreed quantitative measures.
Survey Results
The Community Leaders Perception Survey revealed high levels of agreement that the University of Winchester is an important part of the community. This was the case across the different community groups represented in the survey. However there was less agreement and consensus in terms of other areas of the survey such as importance of our sporting facilities, the voluntary/active citizenship activities of our staff and students, and visibility of our staff at community functions. A snapshot of the survey results will be presented in the session as will methodologies adopted for disseminating the results and building upon the survey outcomes with Community Leaders.
Conclusions
Using a Community Leaders’ Perception Survey presents pitfalls in terms of survey design, determining which Community Leaders should be included and the geographical coverage of the survey. Lessons learnt and future plans in terms of the continuation of the dialogue with Community Leaders will be presented.
