If many Higher Education partnerships that involve diverse groups fall short of achieving success, how can partners overcome the common barriers and promote equity in the process?

This text is written for Higher Education Professionals who are actively engaged in collaborating with communities or organizations. Engaging in Social Partnershipsprepares professionals to become reflective practitioners while working in partnerships that cross social divides. An invaluable resource, it helps partners navigate the multiple and conflicting objectives that arise in partnership practices. It further encourages the reader to enact practices that are more equitable and democratic. In order to be successful in these partnerships, professionals must look carefully at how they are influenced by factors such as race, class, gender, age, culture, histories and other differences. Unequal power relations prevailing in such partnerships affect the ability to share information, problem solve and form honest relationships. Unless these 3 essential components are properly addressed, the partnership will not be successful in achieving its overall goal.

The author, Novella Keith, breaks down the different approaches to partnership and connects the central principles of her approach through reflection and case studies. These case studies illustrate the conceptual framework for successful partnership practice.

This book:

• Provides action oriented solutions for meeting partnership goals
• Develops frameworks and principles against which to assess partnership, process and outcome
• Provides a new model of democratic engagement for university-community partnerships

• Presents key concepts that can be applied to a critical analysis of practice

Armed with this book, professionals will be equipped with the knowledge on how to apply successful models of practical democracy in their partnerships.