InSSTER

InSSTER, Innovative STS (Science, Society, Technology) Education Research Centre, is a dynamic multidisciplinary research hub that brings together passionate educators and scholars from diverse fields within the field of education. Our collaborative team includes faculty members and researchers from the Department of Education at the University of Nicosia. Together, we explore the intersection of inclusive research education, science, society, and technology, with a strong emphasis on innovative and inclusive practices.

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Vision

InSSTER promotes research in education focusing on innovative and inclusive practices in Science, Society, Technology education. This involves transforming schools to cater to all children, including marginalised groups, aiming to eliminate exclusion. It also emphasises cultivating skills for global problem-solving, ensuring inclusive education, and addressing gender equality in digital skills. InSSTER aligns with the Digital Education Action Plan for comprehensive and high-quality digital instruction and training (European Commission, 2020).

Objectives

  • 1

    Conduct state-of-the-art research under the umbrella of innovative and inclusive education with links to science, society and technology;

  • 2
    Participate in competitive EU calls and receive external funding for projects
  • 3
    Establish a national and international network with relevant, researchers, schools, and policy makers;
  • 4
    Engage with society on issues related to inclusive science and technology education, and
  • 5
    Offer continuous training on skills, methodologies and technologies to its members and beyond.

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Research

The members of InSSTER are involved in funded research under the umbrella of Innovative and Inclusive education with links to science, society and technology.

  • UNITY: UΝited in Inclusion for employabiliΤΥ

    • Start: 01/2022
    • End: 12/2024

    Participants
    Kyriakos Demetriou

    Coordinator
    Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

    Ref.
    ERASMUS +, Cooperation partnerships in adult education

    Budget
    37420 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2021-1-MK01-KA220-ADU-000035192

    UNITY project is intended for adults with disabilities and their support for transition into the labour market from education and training and making employment accessible by providing essential information and guidelines for employers, improving competences of educators and for the persons with disabilities as well. It also aims to help people with disabilities by creating innovative supporting employment methods and establishing them in the labour market. Additional priorities interconnected with the goal of the project are referring to extending and developing the competences of educators and other personnel working with adults with disabilities as well as enhancing access to training and qualifications for all.

  • Fighting the online post-truth conspiracy (NEWSPIRACY)

    • Start: 12/2022
    • End: 11/2024

    Participants
    Christiana Karousiou

    Coordinator
    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)

    Ref.
    Erasmus+, KA220-HED - Cooperation partnerships in higher education

    Budget
    250000 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2022-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000089608

    Website
    https://newspiracy.eu/

    NEWSPIRACY aims to raise public awareness of the existence of fake news and their influence, learning about their mechanism and their creation process, in order to be able to detect and analyze them in greater depth.

  • Increasing Anxiety awareness in higher education during (post) Covid-19 pandemic (AWARE)

    • Start: 12/2022
    • End: 11/2024

    Participants
    Christiana Karousiou

    Coordinator
    SPOŁECZNA AKADEMIA NAUK, POLAND

    Ref.
    Erasmus+, KA220-HED - Cooperation partnerships in higher education

    Budget
    250000 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2022-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000087038

    Website
    https://www.awareformentalhealth.eu/

    AWARE aims to increase anxiety/mental health awareness among Higher Education Institutions’ staff and students. The main objectives are:
    • Equip staff with the needed tools, resources and knowledge to recognize, manage, and support students with anxiety.
    • Develop and improve anxiety management skills among students, while expanding emotional competence and positive attitudes.
    • Accommodate the anxious students in HE Institutions by increasing knowledge and skills among the rest of their surroundings

  • Supporting School Leaders to build a digital transformation strategy (DigiLEAD)

    • Start: 12/2022
    • End: 11/2024

    Participants
    Christiana Karousiou

    Coordinator
    Institute of Technology and Development Foundation, Bulgaria

    Ref.
    Erasmus+, KA220-SCH - Cooperation partnerships in school education

    Budget
    264.626 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2021-1-BG01-4KA220-SCH-000032711

    Website
    https://digilead-project.eu

    DigiLEAD aims to upskill the school leaders’ competencies to develop digital transformation strategies and support the teachers and students to improve their digital skills and competencies. Specific Objectives:
    • Support School leaders and staff to develop a digital strategy and their digital skills.
    • Develop school leadership teams’ competencies for leveraging free digital tools and resources for school improvement.
    • Develop a practical toolkit aligned with the DigCompEdu, with practical, step-by-step guides on how to design and deploy a strategy.
    • Help schools to adapt and use the SELFIE and TET-SAT tools to support the digital strategy development.