Funded since January 2024 as part of the Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships program, project ‘ROCKET: Role-Playing Games on Conflict Transformation for Equity in Higher Education through Virtual Exchange’ enters the world today! The universities of Göttingen, Groningen and Uppsala are proud to present their initiative which combines Virtual Exchange with Role-playing Games and Conflict Transformation in order to strengthen Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across European Higher Education.
International Women’s Day 2024 invites us to “imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive.” Within European Higher Education, the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion still have to become a fundamental priority. Barriers linked to gender as well as other factors such as age, race, religion, sexual orientation, diverse abilities, caring responsibilities, (mental) health and intersectional factors remain. In light of these challenges, the universities of Göttingen, Groningen and Uppsala are proud to present their project ‘ROCKET: Role-Playing Games on Conflict Transformation for Equity in Higher Education through Virtual Exchange’. Co-funded since January 2024 as part of the Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships program, ROCKET enters the world today.
ROCKET aims to foster inclusion and diversity, stimulate innovative teaching and learning practices, and promote interconnected higher education systems within and beyond the European University ENLIGHT. This will be achieved by developing a concept for a ‘Critical Virtual Exchange’ which enables students, lecturers, administrative staff and consortium members to connect online. By implementing the practices of Role-playing Games and Conflict Transformation, online interaction can be innovated, allowing for interdisciplinary collaboration and a change of perspective. As a result, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be strengthened throughout European Higher Education.
With this project, the consortium hopes to contribute to a world where difference is valued and celebrated. Each individual, regardless of their gender, identity, or abilities deserves to feel accepted in our academic and local communities. Therefore, ROCKET hopes to #InspireInclusion within and beyond European universities.