New “SPEZZI” Project Launched – Episodic Short-Term Formats for Student Participation

On April 1, 2026, CODIP launched the new three-year research project SPEZZI - Student Participation through Episodic Short-Term Participation for Sustainable Innovation in Higher Education Development. The BMFTR-funded collaborative project is being carried out jointly with the Institute for Human-Centred Systems at the University of Lübeck.

At the core of the project is the question of how student participation in higher education can be made more flexible and accessible. To address this, CODIP is exploring new approaches to so-called episodic short-term participation. Together with students and other university stakeholders, the project develops low-threshold, flexible formats that enable students to take part in academic and university contexts in short, recurring episodes. This approach aims to better accommodate the diverse life situations and constraints of students.

A key focus at CODIP is the design of the participatory process within the project. CODIP contributes its expertise in participatory research and co-creative methods. The project makes use of digital, hybrid, and in-person formats, as well as creative approaches such as LEGO® Serious Play®, to surface perspectives, support joint reflection, and develop future scenarios.

The findings of the project will be systematically analysed and translated into transferable concepts that are intended to support the long-term strengthening of student participation in higher education.

The project is led by the research group “Participatory Research and Technology Development for Health-Promoting Interventions,” which brings extensive experience in participatory research and in working with young adults.