A new project begins with one simple question

Do people really feel they belong at university?

We are excited to announce the start of BELONG@HEI, a new project that looks closely at inclusion and the feeling of belonging in universities.

BELONG@HEI starts from a simple idea. If we want universities to be more inclusive, we first need to listen. To real experiences. To real people.

As full partners of the project, eucen will be in charge of designing and monitoring a participatory research approach that will involve 300 students and 100 university staff. Through surveys, interviews and focus groups, the project will explore how people experience university life today. What helps them feel included. What makes them feel invisible. And where universities still fall short.

This research is not an end in itself. What we learn will be used to build a Belonging Framework for universities. A practical framework designed to help institutions reflect, improve and take action to create learning environments where people feel welcomed, supported and valued.

The project officially starts with partners coming together in Mainz in January to align on the research approach and shared vision. From there, BELONG@HEI will move forward step by step. Listening first. Then building. Then supporting real change across European universities.

More stories, insights and next steps from the project will be shared soon.