Concluding Reflections: Themes, Gaps and Questions for the Future

In this chapter, we reflect on the themes that resonate through the book, including those arising from the practice-first approach. We also reflect on gaps in theory and knowledge that the constituent chapters have revealed and identify key questions for the future. This chapter extends and applies the principles of a thinking environment as a framework for research practice and as a constituent component of a framework for critical reflection. Challenges and gaps identified include the role of compassionate pedagogy in digital learning, the future content and forms of hybrid pedagogy and partnership working in service-learning programmes. The chapter considers the extent to which a practice-first approach can produce socially useful knowledge and also raises key questions for researchers, funding bodies and policymakers. This includes key questions for students and staff to interrogate their universities’ policies and practices. Future directions for research in higher education include the role of coaching in the curriculum and in practices that support lifelong learning. The chapter begins with consideration of the role of coaching and mentorship in inclusive academic writing and ends with reflections on compassion in publishing and peer review practices and processes.