The hubs that constitute the Uniservitate programme for service-learning in catholic higher education institutions participated in the call for small research grants to be implemented during 2023-2024. In this first edition, we had a budget of 70,000 euros distributed globally, with each of the 7 Uniservitate regional hubs managing funds according to the requests received and evaluated by a scientific committee to support research on service-learning. 33 small research grants were delivered to projects from 28 universities in 18 countries on five continents
The proposed research areas were: 1) The spiritual dimension of SL; 2) the contribution of service-learning to the mission and identity of Catholic Higher Education Institutions; 3) SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of Catholic Higher Education Institutions;4) Evidence of SL impact towards a holistic education. Of the four areas, the production of research aimed at evidencing the impact of the SL in its link with holistic education stood out (18 grants from 33 winning research projects in total), followed by the institutionalization processes (8 small funds), the spiritual dimension (4 small funds) and the contribution of SLto the mission and identity (3 small funds).
We congratulate those selected by the jury appointed for each hub and encourage them to continue working on expanding resources to research on service-learning.
Below, we are sharing the details of the winners from each hub:
AFRICA
Jury: Beatrix Bouwman – Mary Cecilia Draru – Ellainne Etobe – Alice Kaudia
Coordinator: Denis Etriga Munguci
Institution: Tangaza University College, Kenya
Application title: “Linking Service Learning to the Christian Ethic of Service.”
Topic: The spiritual dimension of SL.
Project Leader: Simon Itabari Mwenda
Application title: “Fostering ethical leadership through service learning a case of Tangaza University College.”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Nazarene Kabuya
Institution: Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC), Cameroon
Application title: “Institutionalization Processes of Service-Learning in Catholic University of Central Africa.”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Dr Epiphane Kinhoun
Institution: Mwenge Catholic University, Tanzania
Application title: “Towards Sustained Service-Learning Institutionalization: Understanding Advances, Opportunities and Challenges at Mwenge Catholic University, Tanzania”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Gilerad Minja
Institution: University of Kisubi, Uganda
Application title: “Benchmarking the Institutionalization of service learning in selected Catholic Higher Education”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Angella Beatrice Nalwanga
ASIA & OCEANIA
Jury: Sterling Miranda Plata. Ma. Lourdes Melegrito. Froilan Alipao. Marietta Guanzon. Carol Ma Hok Ka. Mercy Pushpalatha. Victoria Tibon. Maher Spurgeon
Coordinators: Jimi Caldea & Romina Eloisa Abuan
Institution: Assam Don Bosco University, India
Application title: “A study on stakeholders attitude towards institualization of service learning: perceived threats and opportunities across Christian Higher Education Institutions of India.”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Bonnie Amonge Crerar
Institution: University of St. La Salle, Philippines
Application title: “The Contribution of the Christian Service Learning Program (CSLP) Towards Spiritual, Social, and Professional Growths as Perceived by the USLS Political Science Graduate”
Topic: SL contribution to CHEIs mission and identity.
Project Leader: Elias P. Patriarca, Jr.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE & MIDDLE EAST
Jury: Bojana Culum Ilic – Alina Simona Rusu – Edina Malkic – Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová
Coordinator: Christiane Hoth de Olano
Institution: John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
Application title: “The impact of service-learning methodology on applied linguistics students success outcomes”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Viktoriia Durkalevych
Institution: Bethlehem University, Palestine
Application title: “Learning by doing at Bethlehem University; The SPEL Model”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Bilal Salameh
Institution: Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany
Application title: “Service Learning for Campus: Opportunities and Challenges in Relation to the Sustainable Transformation at Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ann-Kathrin Bremer
LAC
Jury: Alexis Rodríguez – Chantal Jouannet – Daniel García – Daniela Gargantini -Gladys Jimenez -Gretel Hernández -Isabel Tresca -Leticia López -Mercedes Morales -Nicolas Dorronsoro -Rodolfo Gallo -Rodrigo de Andrade
Coordinator: Manuel Caire Espinoza
Institution: Catholic University of Pernambuco, Brazil
Application title:“Service-learning as a possibility of Comprehensive Education and transformation in the way of being of higher education students”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: João Elton de Jesus
Institution: Catholic University of La Plata, Argentine
Application title: “From extension as a transfer service to dialogue of knowledge” Case study: Creation and implementation of the Center for Learning and Solidarity Service “Santa Clara de Asís”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Rita Marcela Gajate
Institution: Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Application title: “Notions and practices of Christian spirituality in S+L UC: Reality and Challenges.”
Application area: The spiritual dimension of SL
Project Leader: Cristián Felipe Núñez Durán
Institución: Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador
Application title:“Family and community strategies to combat Childhood Malnutrition as comprehensive learning tools for Nutrition and Dietetics students.”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Edgar Wilson Rojas González
Institution: Catholic University of Córdoba
Application title: “Service-learning as a predictor of academic-social commitment of Bachelor of Nutrition students at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Córdoba”
Topic: SL contribution to CHEIs mission and identity.
Project Leader: Constanza Rodríguez Junyen
USA & CANADA
Jury: Barbara McCrabb – Andy Furco – Rebecca Sawyer – Patrick Green – Jennifer Pfigza
Coordinator: Nadine Jalandoni
Institution: University of St. Thomas -Center for the Common Good, USA
Application title: “Exploring the impact of a community-engagement project on students’ perceptions of housing justice and housing insecurity and their intention for continued engagement”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Jessica Hodge
Institution: Loras College, USA
Application title: “Cultural Snapshots: Institutionalizing Catholic Social Teaching and Asset Based Community Development through Community Engagement”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Jake Kurczek
Institution: University of Notre Dame -Center for Social Concerns, USA
Application title: “Lives in the Balance: College Engagement and the Development of Moral Solidarity”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Jay W. Brandenberger
Institution: Saint Mary’s College of California, USA
Application title: “From mission to practice: Instructor perspectives on creating engaged learning experiences that foster the spiritual development of Lasallian university students”
Topic: SL contribution to CHEIs mission and identity.
Project Leader: Sarah Beth Dempsey
WEN
Jury: Marian Aláez – Míquel Martínez – Arantzazu Martínez – María Cinque – Luísa Mota
Coordinator: Marian Aláez
Institution: Université de Namur, Belgium
Application title: “Anthropologie et Service Learning en contexte associatif: enjeux moraux, politiques et épistémologiques”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Rigaux Natalie
Institution: Université Catholique de Lille, France
Application title: “Reading students Service-learning journals from the perspective of a Christian anthropology”
Topic: The spiritual dimension of SL.
Project Leader: Thierry Magnin
Institution: KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture, Belgium
Application title: “Levers as a pre-condition for integral education: an exploration of principles and transformative mechanisms of service-learning”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: De Smet Aurelie
WES
Jury: Marian Aláez – Míquel Martínez – Arantzazu Martínez – María Cinque – Luísa Mota
Coordinator: Marian Aláez
Institution: Pontifical University Comillas, Spain
Application title: “The social profitability of community educational methodologies: Case study. “University service-learning in the field of ADE studies”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Carlos Ballesteros Garcia
Institution: Catholic University of Ávila, Spain
Application title: “Education in values and development of skills through service-learning: impact on students at the Universidad Católica De Ávila 2015-2023”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ana Isabel Muñoz Alcón
Institution: University of Deusto, Spain
Application title: “Working on language didactics with the service-learning methodology”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ariane Díaz Iso
Application title: “La empatía y autocompasión en el alumnado de CAFyD tras una experiencia de ApS”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Yolanda Lázaro Fernández
Institution: IQS Universitat Ramon Llull, Spain
Application title: “Analysis of published service-learning experiences in chemistry and chemical engineering programs”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Núria Agulló Chaler
Institution: San Jorge University, Spain
Application title: “Impact of the service-learning programme on the perception of learning humanized care in students and usefulness in the community”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Raquel Lafuente-Ureta
Application title: “The reflective processes in SL projects in the CHEIs. “His contribution to the development of the spiritual dimension of students and educators”
Topic: The spiritual dimension of SL.
Project Leader: Arantzazu Martínez Odría
Institution: Loyola University, Andalucía, Spain
Application title: “Impact evaluation indicators in Service-Learning from the experience of the Social Sector of the Society of Jesus”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ignacio Sepúlveda del Río
Institution: Portuguese Catholic University, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Portugal
Application title: “Interdisciplinary Service-Learning: An (im)possible agenda?”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs
Project Leader: Paulo C. Dias
Institution: Portuguese Catholic University, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Portugal
Application title: “Examining University Students’ and Final Beneficiaries’ Perceptions of SL and their Community: A pre- and post-Service-Learning Analysis”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Luísa Mota Ribeiro
Institution: St Mary’s University, United Kingdom
Application title: “Examining the medium-term impact of a service learning project using a value creation framework”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Abbe Brady