This article describes how a group of people worked to change the surrounding region’s perception of Durham University (United Kingdom) from an elitist institution to a civically engaged one. The Durham Model is founded on four principles (empowerment, partnership, education, leadership) with the goal of supporting engaged scholarship initiatives between faculty and the community of Durham County. Characterized as organic, multifaceted, responsive, and sustainable, aspects of this model have become increasingly integrated into the university’s structures. The authors discuss how to endure sustainability, the lessons learned, and their future vision for the partnership model in Durham.

Russell, A., Cattermole, A., Hudson, R., Banks, S., Armstrong, A., Robinson, F., … Brown, G. (2011). Sustaining community-university collaborations: The Durham University model. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement, 4, 218-31. Full Text.