Center of Research Development and Innovation in Psychology

At IACTE 2026 — the International Conference "Innovative Approaches to Contemporary Trends in Education" hosted by Universitatea Aurel Vlaicu din Arad — a dedicated Glitter Erasmus+ workshop brought together teachers, researchers, and educational stakeholders from several European countries. The conference opened a dialogue across educational sciences, psychology, sociology, and beyond, uniting educators, students, and practitioners around the future of education.

Held on June 11, the workshop offered a collaborative space to review and discuss two key resources currently in development: Mini Games and a Wiki platform focused on digital wellbeing in education. 📚

Participants explored draft concepts, exchanged perspectives on usability, accessibility, and learning outcomes, and contributed recommendations — all of which will be documented to directly shape the next stages of both tools, ensuring they reflect diverse European classroom realities.

A valuable opportunity to gather cross-European insights ahead of the upcoming national workshops. 🚀



Konnektable Technologies Ltd. CARDET Wonderful Education PCG Polska

📖 New Research Publication | CCDIP – Center for Research Development and Innovation in Psychology

We are pleased to announce the publication of a new research article in the Journal of Educational Sciences & Psychology:

Dezmirean, M.-G., Bocoș, M.-P., Bocoș, M.-D., & Rad, D. (2026). Empathy beyond experience: Attitudes toward animals and belief in animal mind under controlled pet ownership. Journal of Educational Sciences & Psychology, 16(78), 159–170.

🔗 Full issue:
https://jesp.upg-ploiesti.ro/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=45:journal-vol-xvi-lxxviii-no-12026&Itemid=16

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/407357431_Empathy_beyond_experience_attitudes_toward_animals_and_belief_in_animal_mind_under_controlled_pet_ownership

The study investigates the relationships among empathy toward animals, attitudes toward animal welfare, and beliefs regarding animal cognition under conditions of controlled pet ownership. The findings contribute to the growing interdisciplinary literature at the intersection of psychology, human–animal interaction, empathy research, and social cognition.

This publication reflects the value of collaborative research bringing together senior academic expertise and emerging researchers, while advancing evidence-based knowledge on the psychological mechanisms underlying human–animal relationships.

Congratulations to all authors for their contribution to this research endeavor.

(PDF) Empathy beyond experience: attitudes toward animals and belief in animal mind under controlled pet ownership PDF | This study examined associations between attitudes toward animals, animal empathy, and belief in animal mind (BAM), controlling for pet ownership.... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

📢 New blog post from the Glitter Erasmus+ Project!

We are pleased to share our latest article “From Framework to Action: Introducing GLITTER’s Online Self-Evaluation Matrix for Digital Wellbeing.”

As digital technologies become part of everyday school life, schools need practical tools to reflect on current practices, identify priorities and plan meaningful improvements.

The GLITTER Online Self-Evaluation Matrix supports schools in moving from reflection to action through a tailored Digital Wellbeing Action Plan Guide.

🔗 Read the full blog post: https://bit.ly/3R0gICI



Konnektable Technologies Ltd. CARDET Universitatea Aurel Vlaicu din Arad Wonderful Education PCG Polska

Felicitări tuturor doctoranzilor participanți la sesiunea doctorală din cadrul Conferinței Internaționale IACTE 2026!

Prezentările susținute au evidențiat diversitatea temelor de cercetare abordate de tinerii cercetători în domeniul asistenței sociale. Calitatea lucrărilor prezentate, seriozitatea demersurilor metodologice și relevanța socială a temelor abordate demonstrează potențialul noii generații de cercetători de a contribui la dezvoltarea cunoașterii și la soluționarea provocărilor societății contemporane.

Felicitări tuturor pentru efortul depus și mult succes în continuarea parcursului doctoral!

https://cdn.uav.ro/documente-psihologie/PROGRAM-DETALIAT-08.06.2026-IACTE-Torkos-vf.pdf

A heartfelt thank you to the more than 100 participants who joined us both in person and online for the GLITTER workshop held during IACTE 2026 and facilitated by Prof. Dana Rad and Researcher Gavril Rad.

The co-creation sessions dedicated to the GLITTER Wiki, digital wellbeing mini-games, and feedback tools generated an impressive range of valuable ideas, constructive suggestions, and innovative perspectives. We were especially pleased by the active engagement of representatives from all partner organizations, whose contributions enriched the discussions and helped shape the next stages of development.

We are truly grateful for the feedback received and inspired by what we still have to build together. The workshop once again demonstrated the power of collaboration, shared expertise, and collective creativity in developing meaningful resources that promote digital wellbeing in schools.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm, insights, and commitment. We look forward to continuing this journey together and transforming these ideas into impactful outcomes for the GLITTER project.

https://cdn.uav.ro/documente-psihologie/PROGRAM-DETALIAT-08.06.2026-IACTE-Torkos-vf.pdf

WSA Pillars in Practice (3/6): Staff Capacity & CPD 👩‍🏫

Digital wellbeing is only as strong as the support available to teachers.

Consistent implementation requires staff capacity-building that is practical, ongoing, aligned across teams, and manageable within real school workloads.

Effective CPD helps educators:
🔹 integrate digital wellbeing into everyday teaching
🔹 respond confidently to challenges
🔹 apply shared routines across subjects
🔹 build consistency across classrooms

When teachers are supported, practice becomes consistent.
When practice is consistent, impact becomes scalable. 📈



Konnektable Technologies Ltd. CARDET Universitatea Aurel Vlaicu din Arad Wonderful Education PCG Polska

An inspiring afternoon within the GLITTER Project at Universitatea „Aurel Vlaicu” din Arad.

On Wednesday, May 26, between 12:00–14:00, in Complex M, our international team gathered for a collaborative working meeting dedicated to the development of the wellbeing wiki and the upcoming web-based mini-games focused on digital education and wellbeing.

The meeting brought together over 20 participants from 8 different countries, reflecting the truly international and interdisciplinary spirit of the GLITTER consortium. Together, we explored timelines, pedagogical approaches, collaborative responsibilities, and new ideas for supporting teachers and students through innovative digital wellbeing resources.

We were especially happy to continue our close collaboration with our dear colleagues Dr. Ndomba Ndomba Dorine and Dr. Samueline Fanjanirina, whose presence and contributions added both professional depth and intercultural richness to the discussions.

Moments like these remind us that meaningful educational innovation is never built in isolation. It grows through dialogue, trust, shared perspectives, and the collective effort of people who believe in healthier and more inclusive digital learning environments.

🎓 GLITTER at the Pan-Cyprus Educational Conference for School Principals

Glitter Erasmus+ was presented at the Pan-Cyprus Educational Conference for School Principals, sharing the project’s mission and work with 200 school leaders from across Cyprus. 🇨🇾

Co-organised by CARDET, the conference created an important space to discuss current challenges in today’s schools, reflect on the future of school leadership, and exchange experiences among education professionals. 💬

This was a valuable opportunity to highlight GLITTER’s contribution to promoting safer, healthier, and more inclusive school environments, while strengthening dialogue with school leaders who play a key role in shaping educational change. 🌟



Konnektable Technologies Ltd. Universitatea Aurel Vlaicu din Arad Wonderful Education PCG Polska

WSA Pillars in Practice (2/6): Leadership & Governance 🏫

Digital wellbeing needs leadership to become reality.
Without clear structures, even strong initiatives can remain fragmented.

A strong Whole School Approach depends on leadership that:
🔸 sets clear priorities and expectations
🔸 defines roles and responsibilities across staff
🔸 establishes procedures and support pathways
🔸 reviews progress over time

Leadership is not about doing everything centrally; it is about creating the conditions for consistency across classrooms, teams, and systems.

When governance is clear, digital wellbeing becomes part of how a school operates—not just what it aspires to do. 📊



Konnektable Technologies Ltd. CARDET Universitatea Aurel Vlaicu din Arad Wonderful Education PCG Polska