The integration of research, teaching and learning: the impact of national and international collaborations on practice

In Ireland, the research-teaching nexus debate led to the establishment of the National Academy for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning in 2007. This is an inter-institutional collaboration, led by University College Cork, that serves all higher education institutions. Initially, the language of the integration of research, teaching and learning (IRTL) was not highly developed. Five years on, and very much influenced by Boyer’s (1990) definitions of scholarship, and the work of Healey and Jenkins (2005), Brew (2006) and others, the multiple strands of IRTL have been teased out, expanded and clearly articulated. Analysis of the language used in grant applications, and award nominations over the five year period has been carried out, to detect any changes that have occurred. This paper will present the results of this analysis. Implications for future national and international collaborations will be discussed.