The SPACES – Student’s Path to Self-Awareness report is a comprehensive and up-to-date study on the importance of social competences in higher education, based on international research, analyses and the experiences of students and academic teachers, developed as part of work package 2 of the SPACES project. It is the largest report produced as part of the project, combining the results of two international studies, extensive desk research, as well as surveys, focus groups and other research methods. The publication shows how crucial areas such as self-awareness, communication, cooperation and socio-emotional competences are for the development of education, while providing practical recommendations, tools and methods for their diagnosis and strengthening. The report served as the basis for the creation of a social competence measurement scale, available on the project website, and is a valuable source of knowledge for universities, lecturers, researchers and decision-makers who want to consciously improve the quality of education and better prepare students for the challenges of the modern labour market and social life.
The report “Modern Teacher” is one of the most comprehensive studies on the social and emotional competences of teachers in Europe. It is based on the opinions of over 400 teachers from Poland, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, showing which skills really determine the quality of teaching – and which ones are still insufficiently developed during studies. The study highlights the key role of self-control, empathy, emotional awareness, trust building, and effective communication in the daily work of a teacher, while revealing clear gaps in existing education programs. By identifying the most important social competencies, the report provides universities, policymakers, and educational institutions with specific guidance on how to strengthen the preparation of future educators. It is an essential publication for anyone who wants to build an education based on relationships, well-being, and conscious responses to the challenges of today’s schools.
The report “Determination of Factors Conducive to the Development of Social Competences During Studies” is another report produced as part of work package 2 of the SPACES project – Student’s Path to Self-Awareness, which is an in-depth, international research study devoted to identifying key factors conducive to the development of students’ social competences in higher education. The document combines the results of surveys, focus groups, group discussions, and expert analyses conducted in the project’s partner countries, providing a comprehensive picture of the experiences of students and academic teachers. The report analyzes the importance of teaching methods, social relations, and the academic environment in shaping competences such as communication, cooperation, empathy, and self-awareness. The publication provides an important substantive basis for further results of the SPACES project and is a valuable source of knowledge for universities, educators, and decision-makers who want to consciously design an educational process that supports the development of social competences as a key element of the quality of academic education.
The „Curriculum for teaching social competencies to future teachers” programme is a comprehensive and practical study developed as part of the SPACES project, which aims to equip future teachers with the key social and emotional competencies necessary for modern teaching. The curriculum is based on an international needs assessment (Activity 1) conducted in Poland, Italy, Spain and Portugal and integrates the results of research, analyses and educational experiences of the project partners. It covers a clearly defined set of competences – from self-awareness, emotion regulation and stress management to relationship building, crisis management and teamwork – and translates them into a coherent training programme for future teachers. The document combines the perspective of the teacher as an individual, the teacher-student relationship and the functioning of the teacher in the group and school community, offering specific topics, teaching methods and work tools, such as the flipped classroom, drama, educational games and small group work. The curriculum provides a solid, research-based and literature-rich foundation for implementing modern teacher education that enhances well-being, professional effectiveness and the quality of relationships in the school environment.
