Communities of practice and the shaping of university culture(1st)

This chapter examines the role of Communities of Practice (CoPs) in shaping university culture, drawing on situated learning theory and organisational extension. CoPs are conceptualised as dynamic, participatory spaces that foster professional learning, identity formation, and institutional transformation. The chapter adopts a narrative literature review approach to explore how CoPs operate within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), navigating the tension between tradition and innovation, and contributing to both continuity and change in academic practices and rituals. In particular, the chapter stresses the transformative potential of CoPs in fostering inclusive academic environments and practices based on Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) principles. It also addresses the strategic use of CoPs in leadership development and pedagogical reform, while cautioning against institutional over-instrumentalisation and control. Ultimately, the chapter argues that authentic CoPs—grounded in grassroots engagement and distributed leadership—can serve as resilient mechanisms for cultural evolution in HEIs. They offer inclusive, collaborative, and adaptive spaces that empower university communities to respond to contemporary challenges, including digital disruption, financial pressures, and the imperative for social justice. CoPs can support both individual and collective learning. Reimagining higher education is best achieved through CoPs, which are equipped to reflect, co-create, and lead transformative change in partnership with all stakeholders, including marginalised voices.