## **COIL Connect Research Group**
The COIL Connect Research Group brings together members who are actively exploring or studying Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and virtual exchange (VE).
Over the past year, 468 of our 1,900 active members—about 25%—have identified themselves as researchers. This strong response shows growing interest in understanding COIL’s theory, practice, and long-term impact.
Following our first online meeting in December 2024, a group of COIL Connect staff and COIL researchers from around the world have been meeting monthly. These members come from diverse institutions and backgrounds, and their work focuses on a range of topics such as student learning, faculty development, COIL assessment, internationalization at home, setting COIL standards, and intercultural collaboration.
This group is for those who are already engaged in COIL-related research or who are preparing to launch new studies and who can make a commitment to monthly meetings. It’s a space to share ideas, support each other, and grow the field together. Activities will include networking, joint projects, and the exchange of useful resources such as publications, research data, and tools. To ensure active participation and meaningful collaboration, new members may be selected based on their level of commitment and their research interests. We’re looking for individuals ready to contribute and take part in the development of a global COIL research community.
If you are interested in joining the group, [please complete this form](https://forms.gle/DV81ntPJKkhWsEQY7):
We also plan to hold larger meetings approximately twice a year for interested members who do not wish to make this level of commitment.

In February, 2025, we surveyed COIL Connect members who indicated they held a research role to learn more about their experience and interest. 43 responded and these are the results of that survey. [Access here](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l8vtCyo3pD5Jb97KfSLRnhO9FipOZlTU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117568259103930286387&rtpof=true&sd=true)
**Let’s continue building a global community of COIL researchers—together.**