Engaging students in partnerships: a systematic review about the European higher education context

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must consider, in addition to the perspectives of teachers, those of students, highlighting the urgency in rethinking the role and place of students in academic development. This article presents a systematic review of empirical studies on students’ engagement in European Higher Education (HE), since the implementation of Bologna process. Results point to a growing trend in the publication of articles, specially in the United Kingdom. Most of the studies were in a mixed field, and different levels of students’ engagement were discussed: - Students as co-designers of teaching and learning practices; Students as Co-Researchers; Students as educational development partners; and Students as co-creators of extracurricular academic spaces. The results are discussed considering and problematising the students' engagement in HE. By analysing trends and critically reflecting on student involvement, this review contributes to the understanding of student agency in HE and offers insights for policy and institutional reform aimed at fostering meaningful and sustainable engagement.