Towards a Quality Management & Development Framework for Community Engagement in the Australian Higher Education Sector

The Initiative This discussion paper is based on the frameworks for community engagement laid by a range of Australian universities, and the growing body of literature analysing the impact of enhanced relationships with communities, on academic organisations and cultural values. A group of Pro Vice-Chancellors and managers with responsibility for, and experience in, community engagement portfolios wanted to look at patterns of practice and management across diverse universities; to bring this into the work of the Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance (AUCEA); to be able to contribute to policy development; and to advocate for a national quality approach that supports the diversity of ways in which Australian universities engage with their communities. The basic premise is to share concepts and frameworks to invite response and input. 2