ENLIGHT Thematic Networks at the University of Bern
ENLIGHT Thematic Networks are interdisciplinary, long-term networks involving at least three ENLIGHT partner universities cooperating with local stakeholders. They are formed around societally relevant topics within the ENLIGHT Focus Areas and jointly develop activities in teaching, research and for the benefit of society.
BRAIN-24/7
BRAIN-24/7 is establishing a European network of academics from leading universities to further research and education on sleep, brain function, and mental health, addressing modern society’s impact on brain health, including increased information flow, workload, and stress that may influence sleep and recovery. The BRAIN-24/7 network seeks to enhance educational quality and develop a teaching mobility and exchange program for students while cultivating academic partnerships to promote and contribute to brain health research. We will engage with the public to educate and guide individuals on maintaining and improving brain health based on the knowledge generated by the network.
ETHYC
ETHYC, led by the University of Galway with ENLIGHT partners at the Universities of the Basque Country, Groningen, Ghent, and Bern, aims to establish a robust, multidisciplinary hydrogen education and training network. Building on existing hydrogen projects, courses, and regional strengths, the project consolidates collaboration within the ETHYC consortium. It also expands engagement across the ENLIGHT alliance and beyond, involving academia, industry, NGOs, civil society, and governmental bodies.
InfraCARE
In responding to the challenges posed by climate change in the urban age, the InfraCARE thematic network rethinks the dynamics between care and infrastructure in urban environments by exploring more inclusive and reparative conditions. Within the scope of the network, the University of Bern team (Deniz Ay, Jevgeniy Bluwstein) will organize a research workshop on urban commoning as a method of repair and reorganization of the spaces of care.
PLASTIMPACT
Plastic pollution is recognized as a global environmental challenge, due to its presence across marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. The PLASTIMPACT project stems from the recognition that risks posed by plastic pollution to the environment and human health need to be tackled on a planetary scale, by involving scientists, citizens, societal agents and governments. The PLASTIMPACT European Thematic Network (ETN) main goal is to build an interdisciplinary community. Plastimpact focuses on two main pillars: networking and community building, and outreach. The PLASTIMPACT European Thematic Network (ETN) main goal is to build an interdisciplinary community. Plastimpact focuses on two main pillars: networking and community building, and outreach.
REACT
REACT (Research and Education in Ageing Collaborative Team) is an interdisciplinary European network connecting researchers from ENLIGHT partner universities to advance research, education, and societal engagement on healthy ageing. Researchers from the University of Bern contribute through research, continued learning, outreach activities, and public engagement events. The network also organises hybrid scientific workshops that foster international collaboration and joint project development.
TOGETHER goes local
The “TOGETHER goes local” project, funded by the ENLIGHT Thematic Network (ETN), builds on the Erasmus+ TOGETHER simulation game by anchoring it more deeply in local realities. While the Erasmus+ project focuses on developing the core game to teach sustainability competencies across disciplines, the ETN complements this by co-creating new, place-based game modules with local stakeholders such as municipalities, universities, and regional actors. These modules reflect real-world sustainability challenges faced in partner regions. The ETN also supports the institutional integration of serious games in higher education and builds a community of practice to promote mutual learning, broader adoption, and long-term collaboration.