Enhancing Digital Well-Being in the EUniWell Alliance (UNI4Well)

General Overview

UNI4Well seeks to explore digital well-being within university settings, focusing on both academic and administrative staff. Building on previous studies that define digital well-being as a multilevel concept, as well as earlier EUniWell research into digital well-being among adults, the project examines how university staff perceive and experience digital well-being at individual, workplace, and societal levels. In addition, the project includes the development of strategic communication initiatives to encourage balanced digital technology use within university environments.

Purpose and Significance

Digital disconnection has emerged as a critical research topic in Europe, playing a pivotal role in fostering healthier relationships with technology. Despite its growing importance, there is still a need for deeper scientific understanding of why individuals choose to disconnect, the strategies they employ, and the conditions under which these strategies are most effective.

At UNI4Well, we build on earlier exploratory studies to measure the impact of digital technology at multiple levels—individual, workplace, and societal—within four EUniWell universities. Using this foundational research, we will implement a structured Multilevel Digital Wellbeing Survey (MDWS) across these institutions. By integrating the survey findings with strategic communication initiatives, the project aims to enhance awareness of digital well-being as a multidisciplinary issue. The insights gained will inform practical strategies for fostering healthier digital environments in universities and strengthen the EUniWell network's efforts to address this pressing issue.

Implementation Method and Timeline

The project adopts a methodology validated through prior EUniWell research (DIGWELLEU Research Incubator Project), combining focus group discussions with the administration of the MDWS. Communication strategies will be developed and disseminated to promote balanced digital technology use. Key initiatives include awareness campaigns, workshops on digital well-being, and leadership endorsement of best practices. Feedback mechanisms will ensure iterative improvement, creating a healthier digital ecosystem for university staff.

Timeline:

December 2024 – January 2025:

  • Prepare focus group materials and define research objectives.
  • Recruit and confirm focus group participants.

February 2025:

  • Conduct focus groups.
  • Perform a preliminary analysis of data and draft a report.

March 2025:

  • Host a seminar at the University of Santiago de Compostela to discuss findings and review the MDWS.

April – May 2025:

  • Administer the MDWS at the four participating universities.
  • Collect and analyse survey data.

June 2025:

  • Complete data analysis and draft the first report.

September – October 2025:

  • Design and launch strategic communication campaigns across all four universities.
  • Organise internal workshops and training sessions on digital well-being practices.

November 2025:

  • Conclude the project with a final review meeting and dissemination of results.

Expected Outcomes

UNI4Well aims to:

  1. Identify the positive and negative impacts of digital engagement within university settings.

  2. Develop empirical indicators to better understand how academic and administrative staff experience the risks and opportunities associated with digital media.

  3. Raise awareness through academic publications, outreach campaigns, and communication materials that promote digital well-being.

  4. Deliver workshops and training programmes to equip university staff with strategies for balanced technology use and healthier digital practices.

By addressing these objectives, the project will contribute to fostering a more balanced digital culture within universities, benefiting both staff and the wider academic community.

Contact:

Rocío Zamora-Medina, University of Murcia