ID200 The Volunteering University: Embedding Civic Contribution

The Idea

We propose that Keele becomes known as The Volunteering University — a university where staff, students, alumni and the wider community are united through a shared commitment to civic contribution. 

For staff, advances in AI, automation and digital tools will be harnessed to improve productivity and reduce administrative burden. This will enable a transition towards a four-day working week. In return, staff will commit one day per week to volunteering activity that delivers benefit to society, aligned with Keele’s research strengths and civic priorities. 

For students, volunteering will be embedded within the curriculum. Every student will participate in structured, credit-bearing or formally recognised volunteering activities linked to their discipline, developing practical skills and civic awareness. 

We will also establish a set of signature volunteering programmes — large-scale, high-impact initiatives that address major societal challenges. These programmes will provide opportunities for alumni and local communities to participate alongside staff and students, creating a powerful, multi-generational civic activity. 

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

Universities are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their value to society. At the same time, there is growing demand from students, staff and communities for meaningful engagement with real-world challenges. 

Advances in AI and automation are transforming the nature of work. For universities, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: we can use these technologies to improve efficiency, but we must also redefine how the time saved is used. Simply doing more of the same will not be sufficient. Instead, we can redirect capacity towards activities that deliver societal value. 

Students increasingly seek purpose alongside academic achievement. Employers value graduates who have practical experience, teamwork skills and a strong understanding of societal challenges. Embedding volunteering into the student experience directly supports these outcomes. 

For staff, there is a growing focus on wellbeing, workload and meaningful work. A model that combines increased efficiency with purposeful civic contribution has the potential to improve staff satisfaction while strengthening Keele’s societal impact. 

Finally, alumni and local communities are looking for deeper, more sustained ways to engage with universities. A structured volunteering model provides a powerful mechanism for this engagement. 

How We Would Implement This Idea

1. Staff Volunteering  
   • Invest in AI, automation and process redesign to reduce administrative workload across the University.  
   • Align volunteering opportunities with Keele’s research themes and civic partnerships. 
2. Student Volunteering  
   • Embed structured volunteering into all undergraduate programmes, linked to Personal and Professional Development modules.  
   • Develop discipline-specific volunteering pathways (e.g. healthcare placements, environmental projects, business support for SMEs, community education initiatives). 
3. Community and Alumni Engagement  
   • Establish a “Keele Volunteering Network” connecting students, staff, alumni and local partners. 

What Success Would Look Like

• Universal participation: All students engage in meaningful volunteering activity as part of their degree. A significant proportion of staff participate in the volunteering model. 
• Enhanced student outcomes: Improved student satisfaction, employability and graduate outcomes, with strong employer recognition of Keele graduates’ experience and skills. 
• Civic impact at scale: Measurable improvements in local communities through Keele-led initiatives, with clear evidence of social, economic and environmental benefit. 
• Alumni engagement: Increased alumni participation and giving, driven by meaningful opportunities to contribute. 
• National and international recognition: Keele becomes recognised as the leading UK university for civic engagement and volunteering, setting a new benchmark for the sector.