I.03. Educating to Participate. Educational Innovation in University Systems as a Tool for Inclusion and Democratic Participation

Stream I. Universities, Academic Freedom and Knowledge Politics
Convenor(s) Barbara Mazza (sapienza, Italy); Elena Valentini (sapienza, Italy); Lucia D'Ambrosi (sapienza, Italy); Veronica Lo Presti (sapienza, Italy); Houshmand Masoumi (Technische Universität Berlin, Germany); Yuliia Kravchenko (Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia); Martin Vaz Alvarez (Universitade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
Keywords Didactics Innovation, Digital Democracy, Digital Transformation

In the era of digitalisation and hyperconnectivity, university systems are increasingly committed to adopting digital transformation principles to integrate educational innovation into cooperative and collaborative learning processes. However, the acceleration of these processes does not always translate into a clear definition of the objectives and implications of the ongoing transformations. Various ambivalences are emerging regarding issues of “digital fatigue”, social isolation, conformity in thought and action, and dependence on algorithmic logic. The danger is that they will fail to achieve the goal of preparing future generations of citizens and professionals to participate in democratic processes. Globally, numerous recommendations from government bodies and international organisations have been implemented to advance digital transformation that fosters effective digital democracy. Governments must offer digitalised services to citizens (G2C), businesses (G2B), and other administrations (G2G).

In this scenario, what is the contribution of education to preparing citizens who are aware and active in democratic processes? To what extent does educational innovation contribute to the development of forms of post-humanism? How can university systems optimise their commitment to academic innovation while considering these macro-objectives of education?

This panel proposal stems from theoretical reflections and empirical research on these topics, which are underway within two European projects (ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-2 (ERASMUS-LS: 101236774) Digital Bridges and ERASMUS-EDU-2023-PI FORWARD-LOT1 (Smart Nest. Protocol: 101132828) "Quality of Virtual Auditorium") dedicated to innovation in university teaching and its ability to create intercultural "bridges," to promote digitalization and the development of digital democracy in the Mediterranean region.

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