Strengthening the Human Dimension in Higher Education: An Interview with Katarzyna Bruder (ENHANCE+ WP2 Lead)

In today’s rapidly evolving labour market, the importance of the human dimension—encompassing well-being and personal growth—cannot be overstated. A 2023 survey by the European University Association highlighted that 78% of universities are increasingly investing in staff development and well-being. In this interview, we sit down with Katarzyna Bruder, the Work Package Lead of our ENHANCE+ WP2, “Human Dimension,” to discuss how this initiative is responding to these trends, supporting both academic and administrative staff, and contributing to the realisation of ENHANCE’s mission to foster a resilient and innovative European education ecosystem.

WP2 “Human Dimension”, coordinated by our member university Gdańsk Univer s ity of Technology, is a direct response to the growing recognition of the importance of well-being and personal growth in the academic environment. By focusing on the human aspects of our staff—both academic and administrative—WP2 aligns perfectly with the ENHANCE Alliance’s mission to uphold European values and achieve the goals of European education. This work package reflects these trends by implementing comprehensive strategies aimed at enhancing staff well-being, fostering personal growth, and ensuring a supportive work environment. This involves creating robust support systems, developing career advancement opportunities, and promoting mental health awareness. Through these efforts, WP2 contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and dynamic educational community, embodying the core values of the ENHANCE Alliance and advancing our collective educational objectives.

WP2 Human Dimension is dedicated to enhancing staff well-being by establishing a comprehensive mental health support framework and promoting a culture of mental health awareness through a large variety of actions and activities, such as drafting effective incentive and reward schemes, preventing and better handling occupational burnout and frustration, as well as sharing good practices on effective equal treatment policies. Key initial activities include the mapping process of mental health resources available at partner universities, running literature studies and desk-research on employee well-being, and delivering a map of shared good practices within career growth area, all of which will provide immediate and accessible support once the system of recommendations is published.

Additionally, WP2 is developing specific support systems such as mentorship programmes for early-stage female researchers, an upskilling offer for employees with fewer opportunities, with functional diversity (incl. neurodiversity) and diverse backgrounds. By prioritising mental health and career development, WP2 is paving the way for a resilient, supportive, dynamic, and flourishing academic ecosystem within ENHANCE.

The primary beneficiaries of WP2’s initiatives include a diverse range of academic and administrative staff within the ENHANCE Alliance, including early-career researchers, experienced researchers, teaching staff, administrative staff, female staff, and staff with functional diversity. WP2 supports these individuals by addressing barriers to their professional growth through targeted mental health support, career development opportunities, and inclusivity initiatives. Our efforts include providing dedicated online seminars, fostering a culture of well-being, and implementing programmes that enhance engagement and professional development. These initiatives contribute to a more human-centered, resilient, and inclusive academic environment where all staff members can thrive.

Looking ahead, our vision in Work Package 2 within the ENHANCE Alliance centers around its pivotal role in fostering an inclusive, multicultural, multilingual, innovative and resilient educational ecosystem. The role of WP2 is mainly advancing the Alliance’s long-term goals by promoting skills essential in today’s globalised world, such as multiculturalism, communication, and digital literacy. WP 2 aims at developing and implementing intercultural programmes that enhance intercultural understanding and cooperation among academic and administrative staff. This includes Certificate International for Employees, Language Tandems, and a variety of online seminars and consultations for all groups of stakeholders, as well as mentoring and consultation programmes.

Fostering inclusive education and promoting modern teaching methods is another goal of WP2. All the WP2’s initiatives should strengthen the sense of community within the Alliance, which is essential for tackling global challenges. As far as collaboration is concerned, all ten member Universities of ENHANCE are involved in all activities of the Human Dimension Work Package. It’s great pleasure to cooperate with such engaged, resourceful and inspired representatives of various stakeholders.

WP2 is implementing several initiatives designed to bolster the personal and professional development of staff across the ENHANCE Alliance. Key among these are comprehensive mentoring programmes that connect early-career female researchers with experienced mentors, providing personalised guidance and support. We are also establishing networking schemes to facilitate cross-border collaborations and knowledge exchange, which are vital for professional growth and innovation. Additional initiatives include targeted workshops on soft skills development, promoting work-life balance, and continuous learning. We will also launch a web-based discussion forum focused on employee well-being, support multilingualism, and enhance social competencies. Together, these efforts aim to create a vibrant and resilient educational ecosystem where staff are empowered to thrive and contribute effectively to the dynamic landscape of European higher education.

To learn more about how the ENHANCE Alliance is driving innovation and fostering an inclusive educational environment across Europe, we invite you to explore our ongoing projects. Stay informed and connected by subscribing to the ENHANCE Update, our central Alliance newsletter, where you’ll receive the latest news, insights, and opportunities from across our network. Join us in shaping the future of European education!