Social earning capacity experiment for Student Welfare with Citizen Science

Almost a quarter of the respondents (20%, N=2.531) from research carried out by the Rehabilitation Research Group under Hanze students in 2020, reported they had an official psychiatric diagnosis. Most students suffered from depression, anxiety and/or ADHD.

For this reason, the key partners of this ecosystem comprise Hanze students, two Hanze research lecturers (Practical Sports Sciences / Sport Studies and Rehabilitation/ Sport Studies) along with our partner from the industry (VitaalNed) who is specialised in Lifestyle. The main research questions in this experiment are:

1. How do we structure a common innovation process that leads to a mutually attractive lifestyle?
2. What impact do the Citizen Science principles for the innovation process have on the psychosocial well-being of the students?
3. What is the long-term impact on mutual costs for (extensive) use, absenteeism and overall quality of life for the target group?

In a broader social sense, this experiment contributes to the ‘cure to cure’ train of thought in healthcare which is also being supported by the transition from consumption to participation, In addition, this experiment contributes to going from one eco-system to another: from ‘individual’ to ‘us’. The following deliverables will be obtained at the end of this experiment:

1. A well-thought-out and validated Plan of Approach for the implementation of student needs and evidence-based innovation to improve the psychosocial and physical well-being of Hanze Students (Potentially 33,000). This plan is linked to an indicative cost reduction regarding healthcare and absenteeism.
2. Insights into the successes and challenges of setting up mutual innovation processes for student well-being as well as the ecosystem/ Citizen Science approach to speed up innovation.
3. A Business Case regarding effective lifestyle options for the private partner VitaalNed VitaalNed innovates with new knowledge and translates this to various new products, services and target groups that are both effective and efficient, and that can be subsidized by Health Insurance companies, municipalities etc.

From a social perspective, this experiment will help decrease student drop-out and study delay rates leading to a substantial cost reduction. From a student (citizen) perspective, this experiment will provide them with tools that will help their overall well-being by enabling them to take control where needed (in the broadest sense of one’s well-being). The definition of well-being used in this context refers to the quality of life including all aspects of life (psychic, social, physical). In other words, the subject of well-being requires a multidisciplinary approach. Having control over one’s well-being is the key to this Citizen Science approach. Their experiences and insights not only have a tremendous influence on the innovation being developed, the fact that they will be able to determine what a ‘better well-being’ means to them or what steps need to be taken to become more vital is extremely valuable.

From the private industry party’s perspective, the experiment will deliver a Business Case for making more effective lifestyle innovations with respect to the content and duration. This lacked in the Combined Lifestyle Intervention approach (Gecombineerde Leefstijl Interventie) which is why new approaches and innovations are needed.

From Hanze UAS’ perspective, this experiment offers insights into the needs of the target group so that they can be of better assistance when facing issues with their well-being. Being able to intervene in a timely manner and adequately will have a positive influence on possible study delays and drop-outs, which in turn will lead to a substantial reduction in costs. Furthermore, not only will more experience be gained with the ecosystem / Citizen Science approach for improving student wellness, the experience will also be a useful method for other projects and target groups to prevent the mismatch from knowledge to action.   

The project ensures valorisation by the key partner VitaalNed’s involvement in the ecosystem. The actual experience VitaalNed has gained from the field is used to guide various target groups.This experience is also used for the development of new innovations and interventions. Last but not least, the partner from the industry can deliver professionals that are actually able to implement the interventions accordingly.

The Lifestyle Business Case is an explicit goal of our industry partner, which ensures that an innovation is achieved that is actually commercially feasible.