Recognizing student activism: Analysing practices in recognizing informal learning in the EHEA

Abstract

This paper aims to answer the question of how recognition of student engagement as informal learning takes place in HEIs within the EHEA. It identifies challenges, best practices, and lessons learned for the recognition of informal learning in the EHEA in general. Questions of transparency in recognition of informal learning in student activism, their legal basis and ways of implementation as well as student representatives' experiences are discussed. Analysis was undertaken based on two surveys in the EHEA. The first survey addressed student representatives at national level in 11 countries, aiming for insights in legal conditions and practices of higher education institutions' recognition of informal learning of student activists. The second survey focussed on student representatives at institutional level (80 respondents), sharing their experiences on formalities, barriers and practicalities within implemented policies of recognition of prior learning in student activism. Based on the collected data, findings and recommendations are presented in the last part of the paper.