About the Project
Project Description
The project Teacher Wellbeing as a Pathway to Quality Education (TeachWell) explores the crucial relationship between the well-being of teacher educators and the quality of education, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and 4 (Quality Education). An already proven collaboration between three institutions from Austria and South Africa investigates how the well-being of teacher educators influences the broader educational ecosystem. Teacher educators are pivotal in this project because they play a central role in shaping the professional identity, pedagogical skills and resilience of future teachers, thereby influencing the overall quality of education. Despite their vital role in shaping future educators, little research has been done on the well-being of teacher educators.
Research questions
How can the well-being of teacher educators be actively supported to ensure the long-term quality of education and improve the well-being of both teachers and students?
- How does teacher educators‘ well-being arise in relation to their professionalism?
- What are the key challenges faced by teacher educators that affect their subjective well-being and, in turn, the quality of teacher education?
- How can improving the well-being of teacher educators positively influence the well-being and performance of teachers and students in the education system?
- What strategies can be implemented at the institutional or policy level to support the well-being of teacher educators and ensure sustainable improvements in teacher education?
Funding Programme
Africa-UniNet – Austrian-African Research and Higher Education Cooperation Network.
Duration
24 months (February 2026 – February 2028)
Project Partners
University of Innsbruck (Project Coordinator)
University of Pretoria
Project Objectives
• Investigate the wellbeing of teacher educators in Austria and South Africa.
• Explore the relationship between teacher educator wellbeing and educational quality.
• Identify key stressors, challenges, resilience factors, and support mechanisms.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for higher education institutions and policymakers.
• Design and implement a wellbeing training programme.
• Strengthen international research collaboration and support early-career researchers.
Methodology
Mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative research.
Qualitative: Semi-structured interviews, phenomenological vignette research:
Quantitative: Online survey using the Ryff Psychological Wellbeing Scale and statistical analysis with SPSS.