Content

The course provides in‑depth knowledge of innovative processes and creative problem‑solving, with a particular focus on need‑driven innovation in interdisciplinary teams. Students are introduced to theories and methods related to innovation, health psychology, behaviour change, and user‑centred design, and learn how these perspectives can be integrated to address complex health‑related challenges. Using principles from game design and gamification, student groups work to develop solutions aimed at promoting positive changes in health behaviours and improving practices within health care settings.

One week consists of preparatory studies using online resources provided via Uppsala University’s learning platform Studium (Canvas) and the video communication system Zoom. The following two weeks, starting on August 4, are conducted on campus with mandatory full‑day attendance.

This course is a free‑standing course that can be taken as an elective within programmes related to behaviour and health, and also serves as continuing, life‑long learning for professionals in medicine, caring science, public health, physiotherapy, and psychology.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

• describe theories of behavioural change and give examples of how they can be applied,
• explain how concepts from game design theory can be applied to existing and newly created games.

Skills and abilities

• create, together in a team, a solution to a health challenge that includes elements of game design,
• apply a procedure (e.g. Design Thinking) to develop an innovation in a team. This process includes first understanding and defining a problem and then creating solutions, developing prototypes and testing in collaboration with experts and potential end-users,
• applying knowledge of how team composition, leadership, communication and self-reflection to create effective and creative teams.

Judgement and approach

• evaluate how serious games can be applied in healthcare and to achieve better health and quality of life of individuals and society,
• interpret, critically evaluate and communicate scientific research and other information relevant to the course topics (i.e. medicine, behavioural science, game design, etc.) in speech and writing.

Assessment

Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G)

Preparatory assignments and literature studies are assessed through a written take‑home examination and a series of written assignments to be completed prior to the first scheduled on‑campus day (1 ECTS). These assessments are administered via Uppsala University’s online learning platform Studium (Canvas).

Subsequently, assessment is based on submitted written reflections on group collaboration during the project work, as well as an oral group presentation of the project outcomes (2 ECTS). This component requires compulsory attendance throughout the two on‑campus weeks of the course.

At the end of the course, the project results are also examined through a written group report (2 ECTS).

As the course is built around collaborative project work, active participation and attendance are mandatory during all scheduled teaching and learning activities.For special reasons, the examiner may exempt from the indicated examination method and allow an alternative examination form. A special reason may for instance be a decision by the University's disability coordinator that special pedagogical support should be provided. 

Lecturers

• Erik Olsson, Uppsala University
• Alvin O’Sullivain, Uppsala University
• Femke DeBackere, Ghent University
• Antonio Casado, University of the Basque Country

Course dates

Online: One week of preparatory work online during summer. Starting July 27th at the latest, but preferably before.

On-site: 3 - 14 August 2026 in Uppsala

Entry requirements: At least 120 credits in medicine, caring science, psychology or another health or behaviour-related science, widely defined.

Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. Students will be selected at each of these universities separately. Students interested in the course need to apply via their home university. They should contact their faculty or programme to verify whether it can fit in their curriculum and to ensure academic recognition of the credits obtained. The home university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible, and then send these names to the host institution. Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place, if other universities do not use all their allocated places.

Please select your home university below and contact your ENLIGHT coordinator for further information on the application process or consult the linked information.

• University of the Basque Country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Bern: Application instructions for students at the University of Bern
• University of Bordeaux: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Comenius University Bratislava: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Galway: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Ghent University:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (see information about BIP's)
• University of Groningen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Göttingen:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for BIP’s) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (other courses)
• University of Tartu: Application instructions for students at the University of Tartu
• Uppsala University: Application instructions for students at Uppsala University.

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