In early April, Duke Service-Learning hosted the North American Regional Gathering of the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE)—a two-day convening to help shape a future-looking Global Research Agenda for the field.
Led by facilitator Dr. Andrew Furco and supported by GivePulse, Inc., the Durham gathering brought together researchers, faculty, and practitioners from across North Carolina and the U.S. to review and refine more than 2,000 research questions submitted at gatherings over the past several years. The group worked collaboratively to analyze, rank, and organize questions that will form the foundation of the North American contribution to this international effort.
Participants represented a wide range of institutions, including East Carolina University, Elon University, High Point University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, and others.
In addition to the working sessions, attendees joined local leaders for DISHCourse, a community dinner and recorded conversation at ReCity in downtown Durham. Facilitated by George Luc, the event featured voices from across sectors—including the Mayor of Durham, Duke and NCCU faculty, nonprofit leaders, and local business owners—who reflected on the past, present, and future of meaningful community engagement in Durham.
This gathering is part of a global initiative by IARSLCE to create regional and international research agendas that will be presented at the organization’s 25th Anniversary Conference in Durban, South Africa in August 2025.
Duke Service-Learning is proud to help shape this conversation—and to work across campuses, cities, and continents to advance the practice and scholarship of community-engaged learning.
