Search
£1million research project explores how playful learning boosts engagement and skills development in university students
Thursday 11 September 2025
Press contact
Coventry University is part of a £1million research project investigating how playful learning approaches can change the way university students engage with their studies and develop essential skills.
As technology develops and workplaces face greater global competition, graduates need more than academic knowledge to succeed in a competitive job market - they also need problem-solving, teamwork and adaptability skills.
The three-year project, led by Northumbria University in collaboration with Coventry University’s Co-Investigator, Professor Sylvester Arnab, and his team – Dr Petros Lameras, Dr Safaa Sindi and Tamar Maclellan - alongside several other UK institutions, will explore how playful and interactive teaching methods can help students develop these skills.
The aim is to shift attitudes towards playful learning in universities by helping academic leaders feel confident supporting these approaches, equipping staff with the skills to use them effectively and giving students opportunities to engage and develop through play.
Funded primarily by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the project will examine approaches such as role play and interactive simulations understand which methods are most effective and why.
Researchers will start by looking at how playful learning is currently used in universities and how it is perceived by academic leaders, providing a clear picture of existing practices and attitudes.
The study will also explore the benefits, challenges and barriers students and staff face when engaging with playful learning, identifying what works well and where improvements are needed.
Play is a powerful catalyst for learning. By embedding playful approaches into higher education, we can inspire curiosity, encourage collaboration, and help students develop the adaptability and problem-solving skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Professor Sylvester Arnab, Co-Investigator, Coventry University's Research Centre for Postdigital Cultures
The pandemic has forced universities to rethink how they teach, yet resistance to change remains strong due to sector-wide challenges such as funding constraints and increasing workloads. Playful learning is not about making education frivolous; it’s about creating environments where students feel safe to experiment, fail, and learn from their mistakes. By demonstrating what works and why, we can challenge outdated teaching norms and better prepare graduates for the challenges of tomorrow.
Professor Nic Whitton from Northumbria University
Based on these insights, the project will develop a toolkit and framework to help academics design playful learning experiences that support skill development.
The research will assess how these approaches influence students’ motivation, creativity, confidence and sense of belonging, examining the wider impact playful learning can have on both academic engagement and personal growth.
Find out more about the Research Centre for Postdigital Cultures.
