Abstract:
As the prevalence of service-learning (S-L) within higher education institutions grows across the globe, it makes sense
to explore, describe and discuss the recent situation in Spain. As a relatively new pedagogy, S-L has gained prominence
in Spanish higher education since its emergence in the early 2000s, and it is increasingly used. This article analyses S-L
in higher education in Spain with the purpose of understanding the expression of this promising teaching strategy. The
paper is based on documentary analysis of key documents from the last official conference of the S-L that took place in
Bilbao (2013). Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and grounded theory, with Atlas.Ti. The process of data
analysis was based on a thematic framework of three categories: [1] S-L University Qualifications, [2] S-L
Institutionalization status, and [3] S-L Possibilities and Positive effects. This analysis can deepen understanding of the
S-L pedagogy, improve practice and create a framework for future research