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.

  • DIALLS: DIalogue and Argumentation for cultural Literacy Learning in Schools

    • Start: 01/2018
    • End: 01/2021

    Local Principal Investigator
    Maria Vrikki

    Participants
    Maria Evagorou

    Coordinator
    Cambridge University, UK

    Ref.
    Horizon 2020/ EU funded

    Budget
    4400000 EUR

    Agreement No.
    770045

    Website

    DIALLS was a three-year project working with schools to understand and develop how children and young people make sense of Europe and its differing cultures. Schools in seven countries worked with researchers and teacher educators to develop a Cultural Literacy Learning Programme (CLLP), where young people of all ages learn the skills of ‘dialogue and argumentation‘ to be better able to communicate with each other, understanding each other’s perspectives and exploring the different cultural heritages and values of people who live in Europe.

  • OnlineHE: A practical toolkit for integrating elearning in Higher Education Curricula

    • Start:
    • End:

    Local Principal Investigator

    Participants
    Christiana Karousiou

    Coordinator
    University of Pitești, Romania

    Ref.
    ERASMUS + KA2, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices, KA226 - Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness

    Budget
    183680 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2020-1-RO01-KA226-HE-095434

    Website
    https://onlinehe.eu/

    A shift towards distance learning is evident worldwide, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, educational organisations, including Higher Education (HE) institutions, are asked to face the complexities and challenges emerged, such as the lack of digital skills and strategic planning. To address these issues, a consortium of 7 partners from 6 EU countries, including CARDET from Cyprus and Universitatea din Pitesti from Romania, participate in the project OnlineHE, under the ERASMUS+ KA2 programme of the European Commission. The project, aligned with the European Commission’s initiatives, aims at building the capacity of HE faculty, leaders, and learning designers in integrating eLearning in the design and delivery of courses. By producing valuable resources, such as a useful Toolkit, a training course, a MOOC, and policy recommendations, the project is expected to modernise HE curricula and practices across Europe, improving the quality of teaching and learning online.

  • GEM: Empower Girls to Embrace their Digital and Entrepreneurial Potential

    • Start: 01/2020
    • End: 12/2022

    Local Principal Investigator
    Maria Evagorou

    Participants

    Coordinator
    University of Education Freiburg

    Ref.
    Pilot Project Horizon 2030/ EU funded

    Budget
    300000 EUR

    Agreement No.
    LC-01380173

    Website
    https://www.girls4stemcyprus.com

    The purpose of this project was to engage girls in STEM activities and enable them to appreciate aspects of STEM and entrepreneurship in which girls usually do not participate in.

  • INFINITE “artIficial iNtelligence For professIonal aNd pedagogIcal pracTices in Higher Education”

    • Start: 01/2023
    • End: 12/2026

    Local Principal Investigator
    Efi Nisiforou

    Participants

    Coordinator
    University of Groningen, Netherlands

    Ref.
    ERASMUS +, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

    Budget
    400000 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2023-1-NL01-KA220-HED-000155675

    Website
    https://infinite-erasmus.eu/

    INFINITE project aims to optimize the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education (HE), focusing on teaching, learning, and assessment. It seeks to prepare academics to employ AI for innovative teaching and assessment methods while helping students understand its interdisciplinary implications. Additionally, the project aims to equip students with the skills to utilize AI for learning through a tailored blended course. Ultimately, INFINITE aims to address skills mismatches and enhance learners' forward-thinking abilities for the future workforce and society. Its objectives include raising awareness about AI's potential and challenges, providing practical resources for HE academics, enhancing digital competences, and promoting the digital transformation of higher education institutions.