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10 Nov 2005 11:55:53
The University of Luton’s Dean of Partnerships, Professor David Barrett, is to speak at a high-profile national conference alongside academics from some of the country’s leading universities.
The Community Engagement Conference will look at ways of increasing links between higher education institutions and local communities.
The conference, which takes place at the Manchester Conference Centre on November 14, will provide an opportunity for senior managers in higher education to involve communities in the lives of their universities and colleges, through teaching and research.
Professor Barrett, who is responsible for forging links between the University and partner organisations, said: “The University of Luton is integral to the community, with a long-standing commitment to access.
“Widening access depends on good local relations with partner organisations and the wider community, which the University has been working hard to develop.
“However, the UK is lagging behind its international counterparts in implementing on-going, strategic community programmes. This conference will highlight how higher education institutions can benefit from and actively become engaged with their communities.”
The conference will also explore the view that community engagement should be an integral part of the life of an institution, and should be tailored to the community’s social and economic needs.
Community engagement activities include community education, cultural activities and involving local people in research results.
One such programme at the University of Luton is the well-established Student Community Exchange, which places student volunteers in the local community. The exchange offers mentoring to young people at risk of offending and arranges for students to renovate community centres, crèches and other places used by children.
To find out more about social studies courses at the University of Luton, call 0800 3896633 or visit www.luton.ac.uk.
Notes
The Higher Education Community Engagement Conference 2005, is jointly organised by 11 UK universities – including the Universities of Luton, Cambridge, Birmingham and Bristol, and Imperial College and King’s College, London.
Professor David Barrett has worked at the University of Luton since 1994, and has held positions as Head of Department of Applied Social Studies, and Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Science. In his current role, he is responsible for the academic leadership and vision for the development of strategic alliances, partnerships and joint ventures with partner organisations.
He has written extensively about the commercial exploitation of children and is currently working on a special issue of an international policing research journal - Police Practice and Research - focusing on human trafficking for sexual purposes. This will be published in mid 2006.
Latest news» 2005» Nov» University Expert to Address Conference on Building Community Links
