Thematic Line 6 - Health and Well-Being

fostering a shared understanding of health and well-being through interdisciplinary collaboration

Thematic Line 6 promotes research methodologies that actively engage communities and supports innovative health solutions and student well-being initiatives. The goal is to develop inclusive research designs and teaching methods that enhance health and well-being within UNIC universities and beyond.
By integrating engaged research, strengthening university-society partnerships, and leveraging pedagogical innovation, TL6 is shaping a more inclusive, impactful, and sustainable approach to health and well-being across the alliance.



UNIC's seven cross-cutting Thematic Lines are interlocking collaborative structures that establish relations between faculties of our universities around specific areas of post-industrial transition.


Topics covered by UNIC's thematic lines include health and wellbeing, sustainability, resilience and digitization, security, inclusion, entrepreneurship, and arts. They are communities of researchers and educators within UNIC that provide the contents for UNIC’s innovation in education, engagement, and cooperation capacities. Find out more about our Thematic Lines and get involved!



A focus on Health and Wellbeing is essential in the context of urban life due to the diverse concerns of different urban residents, the interconnectedness of health with other aspects of city living, and the multiple factors influencing quality of life. This Thematic Line unites experts from various disciplines—such as health sciences, nursing, sociology, social work, design, and technology—to map shared challenges in urban environments and explore potential solutions.

How We Work


Thematic Line 6 (TL6) focuses on health and well-being within the UNIC framework, fostering a shared understanding of health and well-being through interdisciplinary collaboration. TL6 promotes research methodologies that actively engage communities and supports innovative health solutions and student well-being initiatives.


The goal is to develop inclusive research designs and teaching methods that enhance health and well-being within UNIC universities and beyond. By integrating engaged research, strengthening university-society partnerships, and leveraging pedagogical innovation, TL6 is shaping a more inclusive, impactful, and sustainable approach to health and well-being across the alliance.


The Health and Wellbeing TL aims to identify urban factors that influence health from a biopsychosocial perspective within a multidisciplinary framework. It operates under the hypothesis that the characteristics of the urban environment directly impact and can shape the promotion, development, and maintenance of healthy lifestyles, which are essential for overall well-being.

Objectives


TL6 is designed to advance health and well-being research by encouraging collaboration between universities, communities, and policymakers. Key objectives include:


Advancing Engaged Research – Strengthening research methodologies that actively involve communities and city stakeholders in shaping health policies and interventions.


Improving Campus Health & Well-Being – Identifying key health challenges on campuses and developing targeted interventions to enhance campus well-being. Within the university community, this TL aims to develop initiatives, courses and materials that promote the wellbeing of both students and staff.


Fostering Innovation & Societal Impact – Exploring new health approaches that influence public health policies, community well-being, and institutional strategies.


Building Sustainable Health Research Networks – Encouraging long-term collaboration between academia, cities, and communities to deliver lasting change.



Key Thematic Areas


Some key topics of interest include, but are not limited to, healthcare for vulnerable groups, aging in urban contexts, mental health challenges, public health initiatives, and the role of design and technology in promoting health and well-being for a sustainable and resilient future. These key topics ensure a holistic approach to health and well-being within UNIC universities.


Education for Well-Being


Central to TL6 is the recognition that education is both a vehicle and a context for promoting health—not only through curriculum innovation but also by shaping healthy and inclusive learning environments. This thematic area also seeks to address major health challenges through education, by creating learning spaces—both formal and informal—that foster ongoing knowledge exchange, critical reflection, and collective dialogue. By using diverse formats such as interdisciplinary modules, public seminars, and collaborative projects, TL6 aims to bring health-related topics to the forefront of academic and urban life, engaging not only students and educators, but also professionals and city stakeholders in meaningful conversations and joint learning processes.


Ongoing Projects


Mapping Students’ Health and Well-Being


This project examines the health and well-being of university students across multiple institutions by adapting WHO’s Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey to university settings. The project provides comprehensive data on students’ health behaviors, mental well-being, risk factors, and lifestyle choices.


Findings from this research will help shape university health policies that align with student needs, student support programs focused on mental and physical well-being, curriculum improvements that integrate health and well-being topics, and building Engaged Research capacity. This initiative enhances research expertise in health and well-being by developing a panel of experts and creating a research toolkit. The goal is to support academic institutions, policymakers, and local stakeholders in adopting engaged research methodologies to improve health outcomes.


This project includes:


Co-organizing a Summer School with TL1, focusing on engaged research methodology and other innovative approaches in the study of health and well-being: MiReKoc UNIC International Summer School 2025 – “Beyond Borders: Health, Migration, and Diversity in an Interconnected World”, to be held between 14–25 July 2025 in Istanbul. For more information, please click here.


Establishing an expert panel to guide engaged research.


Developing a research toolkit that facilitates collaboration and practical implementation.


Workshops and training sessions to integrate engaged research principles across institutions.

Virtual Exchange Initiatives on Health and Well-Being


As part of TL6’s commitment to combining education and well-being, this project supports the creation of international virtual exchanges between students. These experiences, co-designed between UNIC universities, focus on collaborative learning around different disciplines. These exchanges not only promote intercultural dialogue and academic collaboration, but also encourage students to reflect critically on health and well-being topics across different contexts.



Future Initiatives & Plans


TL6 aims to expand its impact through innovative projects and collaborations that strengthen health and well-being research within UNIC. Planned initiatives include:


Joint Conferences & Seminars – Bringing together experts to discuss emerging health issues, integrate student well-being programs, and develop evidence-based public health policies.


Partnerships for Data-Driven Health Research – Strengthening collaborations with urban health initiatives (WP3) to support data-driven decision-making for improved health outcomes.


Reinforcing the Role of Education – Designing cross-university modules, summer schools, and interdisciplinary programs that integrate health and well-being as a key component of higher education.



Contact Thematic Line 6 - Health and Well-Being

Email us at tl6[at]unic.eu

Get in Touch


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