University of Roehampton (UK) - Talloires Network of Engaged Universities

SERVICE LEARNING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ROEHAMPTON

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The University of Roehampton was established in 2004 although its history dates back to the 1840s, particularly in the field of Childhood Studies and Education. Its Colleges were among the first colleges of higher education in the country to admit women and this tradition of commitment to equality continues to be part of the ethos of Roehampton, which has one of the most diverse communities of students in the UK. Roehampton University’s home page>>

The Tawasol project at the University of Roehampton

In 2010 Roehampton was awarded an EU Tempus Fund of more than 800,000 Euros to develop Service Learning and Civic Engagement in Jordan and Lebanon. ‘Tawasol’ (which means to engage, share and interact in Arabic) is the fruits of this project. Regional participating Universities are: Hashemite University, Zarqa Private University, and Al-al Bayt University (Jordan) and American University of Beirut and University of Balaman in Jordan. These universities are joined by Roehampton, National University of Ireland (Galway), University of Gothenburg (Sweden) and University of Plovdiv (Bulgaria).

Dr Randa Al Mahasneh, Director of the Tawasol Service Learning Centre at Hashemite University and Co-Director of Tawasol

Tawasol Service Learning Centres have been established at Hashemite University and American University of Beirut and further centres and units are planned. The Tawasol website is a place for Tawasol members to share experiences, expertise and resources.

The Director of Tawasol is Dr Michele Lamb (Michele.lamb@roehampton.ac.uk) who is also the Director of the Crucible Centre for Human Rights Research at Roehampton, where Tawasol is housed.

The Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity is the University of Roehampton’s principal focus for engagement with community action and research on voluntary and community sector organisations. Launched in March 2007, the Centre undertakes, promotes and facilitates research on volunteering, community action, self-help and mutual aid, campaigning, religious and faith-based organisations and voluntary and community sector bodies. The Centre Director is Dr Steven Howlet (s.howlet@roehampton.ac.uk).