Project – University for Wellbeing
The PRISMA project was created with the aim of promoting psychological, emotional, and relational wellbeing within Italian academic communities, with particular attention to students. The initiative involves a network of 8 Italian universities (with the University of Ferrara as the lead institution), reaching over 263,850 students, 8,576 faculty members, and 7,185 technical-administrative staff members.
PRISMA aims to improve the wellbeing of university communities through qualitative and quantitative assessments of student wellbeing and lifestyles, individual and group activities for psychological support and addiction prevention, awareness and training initiatives, and the enhancement of psychological counselling services. Each university in the PRISMA network will propose specific actions, some of which will be open to all participating universities.
Impact: PRISMA seeks to create a healthier and more inclusive academic environment by promoting emotional awareness, resilience, and a sense of belonging to the university community. The project’s multidimensional approach addresses various challenges, including addiction prevention and improving social relationships within universities. The proposed initiatives will have a direct impact not only on students but on the entire academic community, laying the foundation for lasting change.
Sustainability and Replicability: Thanks to data collection and analysis, the PRISMA project can be replicated in other academic institutions, offering a sustainable model for promoting psychological wellbeing at universities. The online nature of some of the proposed activities will allow for participation regardless of the home university and beyond the duration of the project.
Discover current and upcoming activities and initiatives
Webinars on the “Identity and Wellbeing” platform
June 13 | 12.15 - 13.45
Chi dorme piglia 30 (Italian)
Federico Pacchioni
September 23 | 12.15 - 13.45
Facing Change (Italian)
Johmarco Scupelli
September 30 | 12.15 - 13.45
Facing Change (English)
Johmarco Scupelli
October 02 | 12.15 - 13.45
InDipendenza (Italian)
Federico Pacchioni
October 03 | 12.15 - 13.45
Dialogue with Prof. Gustavo Pietropolli Charmet (Italian)
Speaking Positively about Discomfort
Training and awareness events
Road to Pride: a video project to raise awareness and encourage reflection on LGBTQI+ topics during Pride Month.
September 26 | 12:15 - 13:45
Reading, Understanding, and Interpreting Psychological Discomfort
Online seminar with Prof. Gustavo Pietropolli for Teaching Staff.
October 01 | 10:00 - 11:30
Psychological Distress at Work: Recognizing, Understanding, Acting
Online seminar with Alice Fattori for Technical–Administrative Staff.
October 06 | 12:30 - 14:00
Theatrical Performance: Shame Culture
Performed in the Carassa Dadda lecture hall – BL28 Building, La Masa Campus
Open to the university community and the general public.
Archive of past activities and initiatives
- Poliedrico
Podcast
Produced as part of Audio University, a project by Politecnico di Milano and Chora Media. Written and narrated by Simone Nicoli. - Promoting Healthy Eating Habits
April 2025 - Webinar Series (in Italian)
In collaboration with Fondazione Pellegrini and its expert speakers on various nutrition-related topics.
PRISMA received funding of €2,750,000 from the Ministry of University and Research under Call 1159/2023 (PRO-BEN) to investigate student lifestyles and major causes of distress, and to offer tools to face university life challenges. Funding number: PROBEN_0000002; Master CUP: F53C24000430001; CUP: D53C24001890001.
Start date: October 2024 / End date: October 2025
Contacts
Faculty Contact
Prof. Mara Tanelli, Rector’s Delegate for Diversity and Inclusion
Equal Opportunities Unit
equalopportunities@polimi.it