The first working paper from the EU-funded BRIDGE Project offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities in fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration within the field of international learning mobility. This paper delves into the intricacies of the research-practice-policy knowledge triangle, emphasising its critical role as a foundation for effective action. By aligning efforts across diverse stakeholders, the paper highlights the potential for creating a cohesive and impactful approach to learning mobility.
The paper synthesises discussions from a series of BRIDGE Project events that brought together experts in education internationalisation. These events included participants from civil society, academic research, and policy development, establishing the groundwork for a dynamic learning community. The discussions underscored the importance of improving practices supporting learning mobility at macro, meso, and micro levels.
Drawing on educational theories derived from ecology, the working paper introduces the concept of a "learning mobility ecosystem." This framework emphasises the interconnected practices and people that enable learning mobility. It highlights the need for creating the right conditions for improving practices around mobility, considering cultural, material, and socio-political arrangements.
The paper identifies several key challenges in the field, such as the fragmentation of actors and the lack of transparency in communication and collaboration. It also explores the barriers to effective action, including limited capacity for research among civil society organisations and the need for better mechanisms to use research in policymaking. Despite these challenges, there is a strong desire and capacity for collaboration, as evidenced by the interest shown in the BRIDGE project and other EU-funded networks.
The paper concludes with reflections on the need for ongoing collaboration and the importance of addressing practices at all levels of the learning mobility ecosystem. It calls for continued efforts to improve intermediary actions that promote cooperation and knowledge exchange, ultimately supporting the evolution and adaptation of practices depending on the local context.
The BRIDGE Project's first working paper offers valuable insights into the complexities of multi-stakeholder collaboration in international learning mobility. By emphasising the interconnected nature of practices and the importance of a cohesive approach, the paper provides a direction for future efforts in this field.
For more detailed insights and practical recommendations, download the full working paper using this link: https://osf.io/preprints/osf/yvtzd_v1
KEYWORDS: education policy; collaboration; research; civil society organisations; learning mobility ecosystem
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