August 2025.
Start of the WESPA project.
October 2025.
Teams from Croatia and Romania visited Switzerland. Every year, the WESPA teams meet in one of the respective countries, starting with Switzerland. The meeting is to socialize but also served to plan and finalize the questionnaire, discuss joint scales, Phd topics, plan future conferences and share experiences from the first recruiting phase.
December 2025.
In the first five months of the WESPA project, the research teams in Croatia, Romania, and Switzerland focused on preparing and conducting the first data collection of Phase 1. Our start was very successful: All three countries surpassed their target of a minimum of 220 principals and their teachers participating in the first wave.
February 2026.
In March, two WESPA PhD students from Croatia visited Switzerland for a two-week exchange. Below is a summary of their activities:
During our mobility period from March 16 until March 31, we visited the University of Bern. During our stay, we had the opportunity to connect with colleagues, participate in teaching activities, and engage in our regular academic work, including conducting our own classes and working on scientific papers. As part of our visit, we also contributed to a master’s seminar titled “Flourishing Schools: Promoting Teacher and School Principal Well-being,” where we presented the WESPA project, covering its theoretical background, research questions, design, differences between the Croatian and Swiss educational systems and how these affect the research, as well as key challenges and lessons learned. The session also included an interactive discussion with students, allowing for the exchange of ideas and experiences. In addition, we participated in team meetings, where we further shared knowledge and discussed ongoing work related to the second wave of data collection. In our free time, we explored Bern, enjoyed local sweets, and experienced the city’s winter atmosphere.
- Petra Đurić and Iva Miličević, PhD students from the Croatian team
Phase 1 closed in Switzerland and we are now moving on to analysing the data, preparing for conferences and Phase 2.
October 2026.
The next meeting will take place this October in Timisoara, Romania.
