CIVIC Engagement

About This Course

This course enables a better understanding of the role of universities and higher education institutions as institutions committed to improving and shaping the world into a better world. Through theory, lectures, quizzes and case studies, this course aims to inspire members of the university community to implement ideas, actions and programs to develop university social engagement and make a positive impact on society and environment.

With this course, university members will acquire in-depth knowledge of the concept of civic engagement and its relevance for social, political and economic developments. By learning tools and specific didactic methods, they will strengthen their ability to integrate civic engagement activities in their teaching activities or in the design of study programs. The course supports university staff in making the relevance of their own work transparent and usable for society. By showing them ways in which they themselves can take on social responsibility in the field of education and research.

Learning outcomes:

Understanding the concept of University Civic Engagement

Learn through inspiring case studies how to initiate Civic Engagement actions and programs at the University

Learn about the role of CIVIS Alliance universities in the field of civic engagement.

Learn and understand the wide range of possibilities offered by university civic engagement actions.

Understand the possibilities for partnerships with other external entities to strengthen the university's civic engagement role.

Learning competences such as active citizenship, social entrepreneurship, awareness of social, cultural and environmental cases in vulnerable

Course Staff

Silvia Arias Careaga

Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM). Head of the Office for Solidarity Action and Cooperation

Giulia Antinucci

Sapienza University of Rome (SUR). Head of the Public Goods Production (culture and public engagement) Unit at the Third Mission Office of the Third and Fourth Mission Area.

Victoria Axen

Aix Marseille University (AMU). Project Manager, Student and Campus Life Department. Member of the Student Engagement Expert Group.

Valérie Caraguel

Coordinator of the CIVIS Open Labs at AMU

Iris-Niki Nikolopoulos

Head of the Transdisciplinary and Civic Engagement Programme, Division of Academic Affairs at NKUA

Issari Philia

Professor at NKUA, Director of the Research Laboratory for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-being

Irene Baldriga

Associate Professor at SUR (History, Anthropology, Religions, Media and Performing Arts)

Julie Berhelier

Project Manager at the Global Citizenship Office at ULB

Viorel Mihaila

Head of the Department of Public Administration at UB

Léa Moreau

Research Advisor at the Rectorate of UNIL

Karuna Singh

Head of the Citizenship and Community Engagement Programme at WITS

Isabel María Osuna Montilla

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (UT). Member of the Civic Engagement expert group from the CIVIS Alliance.

Isabelle Bruniau di Monte

Aix Marseille University (AMU). Head of the Student Engagement Programme Unit, Student and Campus Life Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the registration dates?

Application deadline is September 20, 2026

When is the course held?

The course is self-paced and runs for two months: October and November 2026

Are there exams or assessments?

This course is designed to provide you with the tools you need to feel confident and assured when incorporating aspects of civic engagement or social responsibility into your daily work at the university. To assess your level of learning, the course offers three assessment tools that you must complete:

Short quizzes that you have already taken in each module.
A one-page individual essay on one of the topics covered in the course (modules 1 - 10), discussing what most
And finally, a short essay of no more than 2–3 pages on a small civic engagement project you would like to launch at your university using what you’ve learned in this course. This essay will be evaluated through peer review, encouraging critical analysis and feedback from peers.

What are the learning outcomes?

The aim of the micro-credential is to be able to offer tools, competencies and skills that will enable participants to respond to the problems facing societies today. In this way, participants at the end of the course will acquire skills such as:

Project design and implementation in Civic Engagement
Community assessment and engagement
Critical thinking and problem solving
Leadership and advocacy
Service-learning and pedagogy
Applied research and evaluation
Intercultural communication and inclusive policies
Digital literacy for Civic Engagement
Adaptability and continuous learning

Participants also will learn how:

Introduce the concept of university civic engagement in their daily life,
To design projects based on social and environmental responsibility
To find solutions to social and environmental problems.

How is the program structured?

Programme structure:
Module 1. Service-Learning
Module 2. Volunteering
Module 3. Applied and engaged research
Module 4. Cultural heritage
Module 5. Gender issues
Module 6. Diversity and Inclusion
Module 7. Open Labs
Module 8. Migrants and refugees
Module 9. Inspiring ideas

How much does the course cost?

The course fee is 0 euros for CIVIS Alliance members.