The impact of blended learning and interdisciplinary collaboration in summer schools: a case study in retail education

Abstract

The Erasmus+ system's Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) are an important academic project promoting short-term, high-impact learning experiences for students and faculty across Europe. These programs blend online and in-person learning styles, allowing students to actively participate in an international and immersive environment while also encouraging continual connection, even from distance. This structure is intended to promote an interdisciplinary approach, while also developing those practical, cross-curricular abilities required to solve modern difficulties in an increasingly globalized society. The participation of partner universities from different European nations, who contribute a diversity of cultural and disciplinary views, is critical to these programs. This element of international cooperation is crucial for the implementation of intensive workshops and summer courses, such as the Summer School Sustainable Retail Design whose last edition took place in August 2024 at Hasselt University. This summer school, now in its seventh year, introduced an interdisciplinary and blended format for the first time. This allowed students to process the theory given online at their own pace before arriving in Hasselt to begin the design process immediately. The Summer School Sustainable Retail Design always aims to bring together students from various disciplines to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the "sustainable store of the future." Given the retail sector's considerable impact on the environment, sustainability is an inescapable issue which academic institutions should conscientiously approach with respect. As teachers, researchers, and practitioners, we believe there is a need to raise awareness and do research on this issue, as well as explore novel solutions for more sustainable retail. This summer school therefore not only represents an educational opportunity for students, but also an experimental laboratory of applied research where current issues of the retail industry can be constructively tackled. Students are invited to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams on real-world projects such as designing a brand's customer journey and environment, as well as building each customer touch point with an emphasis on sustainability and experience. Providing such a training setting allows students to explore team dynamics, learn omnichannel design skills, and consider crucial components for future retail design practice: spatial, digital, and experiential. In brief, the Summer School Sustainable Retail Design is an educational and research platform which encourages informed thinking about the industry's future and prepares the next generation of professionals to face the complexity of design for sustainable retail.