(Introduction) Nowdays, a marked decline in the quality of life is observed among university students, stemming from various factors such as a compromised psychological state, social pressures, economic instability, inadequate support structures, and underdeveloped social networks. These elements collectively contribute to a diminishing state of both psychological and physical well-being throughout students' academic journeys, resulting in adverse effects on their performance, learning capabilities, and personal satisfaction. (Aim) The principal objective of this thesis is to develop a solution designed to foster the overall well-being of students at the Politecnico di Milano, with the aim of maximizing their potential and ensuring an elevated quality of life. In consideration of the specific challenges faced by the Politecnico di Milano student body and aligned with its strategic direction, the peer-to-peer model was selected as the foundational framework for the development of the proposed solution. (Approach) The thesis supports the adoption of service design, recognized for its efficacy in addressing the identified problem and generating creative solutions seamlessly integrated into the service panel for the empowerment of Politecnico di Milano students. This approach seeks to enhance their overall well-being by leveraging the existing resources within the university. The research was guided by the (i) double-diamond framework of Service Design and (ii) interdisciplinary research. (Method) Initially, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify factors influencing student well-being and explore the advantages and limitations of peer-to-peer support and university community building. Particular attention was given to the formation of social ties and the development of social capital. Subsequently, an analysis of the current situation at the Politecnico di Milano, based on previous data from the Department of Design and the “Pari Opportunità Politecniche” (POP) Office, mapped the challenges and the current situation of student welfare. Primary research, through exploratory interviews with design students, helped to outline the project guidelines and led to the definition of a service for design students at the Politecnico di Milano. (Outcome) The results underscore the pivotal role of perceived social support in augmenting students' well-being, facilitating adaptation to university life, coping with challenges, and optimizing the learning process. Peer-to-peer dynamics emerge as an ideal model for fostering social support and building students' social capital. The work emphasizes the importance of personal networks in understanding social support and individual student dynamics, stressing that weak ties foster a broader exchange of ideas, contacts, and skills, thereby maximizing individual potential in the specific context. (The Project) The Poli.Ties project represents the practical realization of this research, focusing on the establishment of weak ties among Politecnico di Milano students through shared initiatives to increase their perceived social support and improve their well-being and quality of life.
(Introduzione) Attualmente, si registra una significativa diminuzione della qualità della vita tra gli studenti universitari, attribuibile a vari fattori quali il cattivo stato psicologico, le pressioni sociali, l'instabilità economica, la mancanza di adeguate strutture di supporto e reti sociali poco sviluppate. Questi elementi contribuiscono al declino del benessere psicofisico degli studenti durante il loro percorso accademico, con conseguenze negative sulle performance, sulle capacità di apprendimento e sulla soddisfazione personale. (Obiettivo) L'obiettivo principale di questa tesi è indagare una soluzione finalizzata a migliorare il benessere generale degli studenti del Politecnico di Milano, massimizzando il loro potenziale e garantendo loro una qualità di vita superiore. Tenendo conto delle specifiche sfide del corpo studentesco del Politecnico di Milano e della sua direzione strategica, si è optato per il modello peer-to-peer come fondamento per lo sviluppo della soluzione. (Approccio) L'approccio adottato è quello del service design, ritenuto efficace nell'affrontare la problematica individuata e nella generazione di soluzioni creative integrabili nel pannello dei servizi per l'empowerment degli studenti del Politecnico di Milano. Ciò mira a promuovere il loro benessere complessivo sfruttando le risorse già presenti nell'ambito dell'università. La ricerca è stata guidata dal (i) framework a doppio diamante del Service Design e dalla (ii) ricerca interdisciplinare. (Metodo) Inizialmente, è stata condotta una revisione della letteratura per identificare i fattori influenzanti il benessere degli studenti, esplorare i vantaggi e i limiti del supporto peer-to-peer e della creazione di comunità universitarie. Particolare attenzione è stata dedicata alla formazione di legami sociali e allo sviluppo del capitale sociale. Successivamente, un'analisi della situazione attuale del Politecnico di Milano, basata su dati precedenti del Dipartimento di Design e dell'Ufficio per le Pari Opportunità, ha mappato le sfide e la situazione attuale del benessere degli studenti. La ricerca primaria, attraverso interviste esplorative con studenti di design, ha contribuito infine a delineare le linee guida del progetto e portato alla definizione di un servizio per gli studenti di design del Politecnico di Milano. (Risultati) I risultati sottolineano il ruolo cruciale del sostegno sociale percepito nel migliorare il benessere degli studenti, facilitando l'adattamento alla vita universitaria, la gestione delle sfide e il processo di apprendimento. Emergono le dinamiche peer-to-peer come modello ideale per alimentare il sostegno sociale e costruire il capitale sociale degli studenti. Il lavoro enfatizza l'importanza delle reti personali nella comprensione del sostegno sociale e delle dinamiche individuali degli studenti, sottolineando che i legami deboli favoriscono uno scambio più ampio di idee, contatti e competenze, massimizzando il potenziale individuale nel contesto specifico. (Il progetto) Il progetto Poli.Ties rappresenta la concretizzazione pratica di questa ricerca, focalizzandosi sulla creazione di legami deboli tra gli studenti del Politecnico di Milano attraverso iniziative condivise per accrescere il supporto sociale percepito e migliorare il loro benessere e la qualità della vita.
The Poli.Ties project: empowering Politecnico di Milano's students. how a P2P service can boost the creation of students' weak ties to enhance general well-being and university experience
Bergamin, Elena
2022/2023
Abstract
(Introduction) Nowdays, a marked decline in the quality of life is observed among university students, stemming from various factors such as a compromised psychological state, social pressures, economic instability, inadequate support structures, and underdeveloped social networks. These elements collectively contribute to a diminishing state of both psychological and physical well-being throughout students' academic journeys, resulting in adverse effects on their performance, learning capabilities, and personal satisfaction. (Aim) The principal objective of this thesis is to develop a solution designed to foster the overall well-being of students at the Politecnico di Milano, with the aim of maximizing their potential and ensuring an elevated quality of life. In consideration of the specific challenges faced by the Politecnico di Milano student body and aligned with its strategic direction, the peer-to-peer model was selected as the foundational framework for the development of the proposed solution. (Approach) The thesis supports the adoption of service design, recognized for its efficacy in addressing the identified problem and generating creative solutions seamlessly integrated into the service panel for the empowerment of Politecnico di Milano students. This approach seeks to enhance their overall well-being by leveraging the existing resources within the university. The research was guided by the (i) double-diamond framework of Service Design and (ii) interdisciplinary research. (Method) Initially, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify factors influencing student well-being and explore the advantages and limitations of peer-to-peer support and university community building. Particular attention was given to the formation of social ties and the development of social capital. Subsequently, an analysis of the current situation at the Politecnico di Milano, based on previous data from the Department of Design and the “Pari Opportunità Politecniche” (POP) Office, mapped the challenges and the current situation of student welfare. Primary research, through exploratory interviews with design students, helped to outline the project guidelines and led to the definition of a service for design students at the Politecnico di Milano. (Outcome) The results underscore the pivotal role of perceived social support in augmenting students' well-being, facilitating adaptation to university life, coping with challenges, and optimizing the learning process. Peer-to-peer dynamics emerge as an ideal model for fostering social support and building students' social capital. The work emphasizes the importance of personal networks in understanding social support and individual student dynamics, stressing that weak ties foster a broader exchange of ideas, contacts, and skills, thereby maximizing individual potential in the specific context. (The Project) The Poli.Ties project represents the practical realization of this research, focusing on the establishment of weak ties among Politecnico di Milano students through shared initiatives to increase their perceived social support and improve their well-being and quality of life.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2023_12_Bergamin.pdf
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Descrizione: Testo tesi
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/215192