Research Project 2024–2027 · Berlin · Duisburg-Essen

Building Bridges

Mentoring & empowerment for girls and FLINTA* of Colour

An interdisciplinary research and development project to empower girls and FLINTA* of color from the 10th grade onwards to participate in higher education and academic careers in the psychosocial field.

36
Months project duration
3
Universities involved
10+
Network partners

About the Project

Building bridges to academic futures

"Building Bridges" is a 36-month interdisciplinary research and development project that aims to empower and mentor girls and FLINTA* of color from the 10th grade onwards. The project is being carried out by the Free University of Berlin, the SPI Foundation, and the University of Duisburg-Essen.

The entire project is scientifically monitored by the Free University of Berlin. Interviews and questionnaires assess experiences of discrimination, mental health, stressors, resources, and academic participation.

36
Months project duration
3
Universities involved
10+
Network partners
2027
Project end date
🔬
Scientific Coordination (TP1)

Interviews & questionnaires assessing discrimination, mental health, and academic participation.

🤝
Mentoring & Empowerment (TP2)

Supporting BIPoC girls and FLINTA* from grade 10 with empowerment, self-care, and transition workshops.

💻
Digital Platform (TP3)

A participatory “living” platform for context-sensitive storytelling and peer-to-peer exchange.

Project Goals

Our main goals are to promote & empower

📋

Developing an MEP Program

Empowering BIPoC girls and FLINTA* through a needs-based, intersectionality-sensitive mentoring program.

🎓

Promoting Academic Careers

Promoting academic careers in the psychosocial field and strengthening the resources of M*oC for the path into science.

Creating Role Models

Integration of mentors and role models of colour to highlight successful educational biographies and empowerment.

🌐

Digital Platform

Creation of a participatory digital platform for context-sensitive storytelling and sustainable peer-to-peer exchange.

🔍

Research Barriers

Investigation of experiences of discrimination and barriers and conditions for increased participation in academic settings.

💪

Strengthening Resilience

Strengthening resilience and performance potential through the identification and activation of individual talents and resources.

Information Platform

Knowledge, resources & learning

A growing, living resource hub with multimodal content — text, video, infographics, and example stories — in accessible language in both German and English.

This section is evolving. Content is being added collaboratively with participants, researchers, and community partners.

Content note: Some content discusses mental health challenges. You can skip at any point.

🧠

Mental Health in the Psychosocial Field

Information about mental health challenges, protective factors, and common experiences of BIPoC students in psychosocial degree programmes.

📄 Text🎬 Video📊 Infographic
📚

Stressors in Studying

Research-based overview of specific stressors experienced by FLINTA* of Colour in studying and transitioning into psychosocial professions.

📄 Text💬 Example Stories
🌿

Coping Strategies

Evidence-based and community-sourced coping strategies for navigating academic stress, identity-related pressure, and systemic barriers.

📄 Text🎬 Video🎧 Audio

📖 Glossary — Key Terms

Tap a term for a short definition (EN + DE).

Full glossary →
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Story Creation Tool — TP3

A co-creative space for your story

Explore the digital storytelling tool: guided steps, privacy controls, and optional AI support — developed with and for the community.

Story tool

Create and share your story

A participatory space with optional AI support, built with the community.

Open Story Creation Tool

Project Partners

A strong alliance of universities & foundations

Network Coordination · TP1

Free University of Berlin

Project Management & Research

Overall coordination and scientific management under Prof. Dr. Claudia Calvano.

Visit website →

MEP Development · TP2

SPI Foundation

Mentoring & Empowerment Program

Practice-oriented development of the MEP under MA Celiana Kiefer.

Visit website →

Digital Platform · TP3

University of Duisburg-Essen

Digital Platform & Research

Participatory development of the digital storytelling platform under Prof. Dr. Hannes Rothe.

Visit website →

Funded by

BMBFSFJ
Empirical Educational Research
European Union

Training & Events

Workshops & program activities

The Building Bridges project offers programs and research activities to empower girls and FLINTA* of Colour in academic careers.

Full workshop schedule →

Next up

Networking & Exchange

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM · Online

Online introductions to mentors. Get to know our mentors and learn more about the mentoring program.

Read more →

Workshop offerings

The next dates for workshops and events.

Networking & ExchangeFor participants

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM · Online

Online introductions to mentors

Read more →
Individual MentoringFor participants

January – November 2026

Individual Mentoring

Read more →
WorkshopFor participants

March 2026

Mentoring Workshop II – Johanna Eck

Read more →
Vision & GoalsFor participants

Saturday, April 25, 2026 · All day

Mentoring Workshop II – Vision

Read more →
Self-careFor participants

Friday, May 15, 2026

Self Care II

Read more →
SkillsFor participants

Friday, June 12, 2026

Skills Training I

Read more →
SkillsFor participants

Friday, August 3, 2026

Skills Training II

Read more →
SkillsFor participants

Friday, October 9, 2026

Skills Training III

Read more →

Research activities

Scientific studies on barriers & resilience

Discrimination research

Discrimination & Barriers

Investigation of experiences of discrimination and barriers in the education sector.

Schoolgirls & studentsMixed methods

Resilience studies

Resilience & Resources

Research into protective factors and resilience resources in M*oC.

MEP participantsLongitudinal

Participatory evaluation

MEP program evaluation

Joint evaluation and further development of the MEP with all involved.

All involvedParticipatory

Project progress

Building Bridges runs for 36 months, from September 2024 to August 2027.

1

Sep 2024 – Aug 2025

Project launch & MEP development

Development of the mentoring program and first cohort.

2

Sep 2025 – Aug 2026

Full implementation & research

Full implementation of programs and intensive data collection.

3

Sep 2026 – Aug 2027

Evaluation & sustainability

Evaluation, dissemination, and sustainability strategy.

Become part of Building Bridges

Whether as a participant, mentor or cooperation partner — together we build bridges to a diverse and inclusive academic future. The project runs from September 2024 to August 2027.

Contact

Get in touch

Do you have questions about the Building Bridges project? We look forward to hearing from you.

Project management – FU Berlin (TP1)

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claudia CalvanoHabelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlinclaudia.calvano@fu-berlin.de

SPI Foundation – MEP (TP2)

MA Celiana KieferBuilding Bridges c/o MÄDEA, Grüntaler Straße 21, 13357 Berlinceliana.kiefer@lvs.stiftung-spi.de

University of Duisburg-Essen – Platform (TP3)

Prof. Dr. Hannes Rothe · Faculty of Computer ScienceUniversitätsstraße 9, 45151 Essenhannes.rothe@ris.uni-due.de

Send a message

Use the contact form for detailed inquiries — we route messages to the right project partner.

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