INGENIUM Staff Academy Brought Together Educators to Share Innovative Pedagogies in Crete
The INGENIUM Staff Academy took place at the University of Crete from May 20th to 22rd, bringing together staff members from across Europe to exchange and develop innovative teaching practices. The event provided a valuable platform for collaboration, peer learning, and professional development in a vibrant academic setting. The University of Crete received high praise for its excellent organization and warm hospitality. Special thanks go to the organizing team and technical support staff, whose efforts made the Staff Academy a truly memorable experience.
Staff Academy is held twice a year. Each event will be hosted by one of the Alliance Universities within the 10 Days of INGENIUM framework. The Staff Academy sessions are based on proposals submitted by Alliance staff implementing innovative learning methodologies or wishing to develop them in cooperation with INGENIUM partners. The INGENIUM Alliance organises Staff Academy events to share, transfer and showcase selected innovative pedagogical methodologies from the partner Universities.
Plethora of Methods
In Crete’s Staff Academy the sessions varied from AI in history education to Lego Serious Play in entrepreneurship. For example, Associate Professor Elisaveta Petrova-Garetto, form the Medical University of Sofia (MUS), shared her theatre play method that teaches students about medical ethics. In her method students would take part in theatre plays in immersing and emotional but safe scenarios to learn the four principles of medical ethics, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice—but also the human emotions, relationships, context, interdependence, and consequences tied to each decision.
“It was very emotional to watch my colleagues from Germany, France and Greece perform a scene from the MedEthica play. — Kallia, Mercedes and Peter were just amazing interpreting the moral conflicts that health professionals encounter every day. As part of the ‘audience’, my heart and mind were struggling to find an adequate solution to the dilemma presented by the scene. And I believe this is what is valuable about teaching through theatre and storytelling, it engages both the intellect and the emotions. ”
Elisaveta Petrova-Garetto, Associate Professor, the Medical University of Sofia
Curiosity made Elisaveta to take part in Staff Academy, and she was happy that she participated.
“The experience proved to be truly rewarding! The opportunity of meeting colleagues from partner universities and hold inspiring discussions about education and future of learning is a source of motivation and direction for professional development that will enrich my pedagogical approach. ”
Elisaveta Petrova-Garetto, Associate Professor, the Medical University of Sofia
All Speakers and Their Topics Were:
- Breda O Dwyer, Munster Technological University Breda O Dwyer, Munster Technological University
- Supporting entrepreneurial educators to use Lego SERIOUS Play (LSP) to enable reflective practice in multi discipline education
- Fouskaki Maria and Ioannis Metaxas, University of Crete
- Outreach Group (COG): Building Reflective and Inclusive Educational Outreach activities in Science Education
- Elisaveta Petrove-Gerretto, Medical University of Sofia
- A collaborative effort to develop a theatre play to explore medical ethics
- Ivanka Mihaylova Vasileva, Medical University of Sofia
- Social Medicine and Psychological Perspectives in Dental Students’ Education
- Mercedes Bravo, University of Rouen Normandy
- Fostering Student Agency through Active Pedagogical Approaches
- Eleni Vasilaki & Aristea Mavrogianni, University of Crete
- Enhancing History Education with Interactive AI: Managing Cognitive Load and Learning Anxiety through GNOSTIS AI
- Peter Becker, The Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
- Online Assessment applying the STACK concept
- Neochoritis Konstantinos & Kallia Katsampoxaki-Hodgetts, University of Crete
- From Lab Reports to Multimodal Learning Artifacts: Evaluating Student-Generated Multimodal Videos in Chemistry Education
- Corina Cimpanu, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iaşi
- Shaping the Future of eLearning: Organizing Teaching Materials, Elaborating Micro-Credentials, and Badges
- Juhee Bae, University of Skövde
- Understanding eXplainable AI through Practical Business Scenarios
- Melody Mehravari, University of Oviedo
- Fostering academic writing by (oral and written) participation in bilingual scientific conference
- Stamatios Papadakis, University of Crete
- Fostering Algorithmic and Computational Thinking in Early Childhood Education: Pedagogical Approaches and University-Level Training for Future Educators
- Katariina Kovanen & Laura Pulkkinen, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
- Audio escape game – gamification method proofing interaction and practical skills on online teaching
- Miriam D’Ignazio & Mariano Pierantozzi, Universitá degli Studi “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti – Pescara
- Learning by Creating: Student-Centered Teaching with AI Tools
Read more about the topics from the Staff Academy Booklet.
Submarine Game Led to New Connections
In Crete, there was a good team spirit and participants hoped that the collaboration would continue. Katariina Kovanen from South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) shares that “It was wonderful to hear, learn, see, and experience the presentations of the lecturers, and without going through customs, we bring home many new thoughts and ideas for new kinds of collaboration. Thank you all new colleagues all over EU and I’m enthusiastic to see what kind of co-operation we can provide for future!”.
Katariina and Laura Pulkkinen showcased their Submarine Audio Escape Game which was developed for the food service expertise course for Xamk’s hospitality management students. In the game, players take on the role of the staff in a submarine restaurant offering immersive travel experiences. Their task is to design a menu for the submarine’s crew and customers in the year 2150. The Submarine audio escape game aims to enrich online education by integrating practical skills, fostering interaction, and applying high-quality digital pedagogy through methods like gamification. Through storytelling and gamification elements, the game enhances critical thinking, self-direction, and sustainability knowledge by encouraging problem-solving and collaboration.
By sharing their game in the Staff Academy Katariina and Laura made connections to France. Now together with their French colleagues they are developing the method into a more multidimensional concept that could be applied in various environments.
Enhancing European Higher Education by Sharing Knowledge
Staff Academy enhances collaboration between European researchers and university staff. “For example, I have been wanting to introduce “escape rooms” for ethical decision making but for financial consideration, I have abandoned the project. At the Staff Academy, our Finnish colleagues shared their experience of ‘audio escape rooms’ for hospitality management which is absolutely fabulous idea that requires no additional resources while providing an educative yet fun experience. Our colleagues’ practices emboldened me to draft an audio escape room scenario for the next semester, and I am grateful for the opportunity to count on their knowledge and support.”, Elisaveta shares.
“If I must summarize what the Staff Academy provided me with, it is a network of dedicated, passionate colleagues who go out of their way and “the box” to foster meaningful learning opportunities. ”
Elisaveta Petrova-Garetto, Associate Professor, the Medical University of Sofia
Elisaveta shared that, inspired by the example set by INGNEIUM, within MUS they are planning to launch several new initiatives, including the establishment of their own Staff Academy to facilitate knowledge sharing. Elisaveta’s and Katariina’s comments showcase how beneficial these Staff Academy events are to network and to share knowledge and practices to enhance the European higher education.
Next INGENIUM Staff Academy events will be held during spring 2026. Stay tuned for the call to participate!
