The SOCIOEMOVE project aims to enhance socio-emotional skill development in higher education through the use of Virtual Exchange (VE), a technology-based pedagogy that enables students in geographically distant locations to collaborate on joint tasks. This initiative responds to recent educational shifts emphasising the need for skills beyond traditional knowledge, such as social, personal and emotional competences essential for well-being and employability. By engaging students in VE, SOCIOEMOVE hopes to foster skills like empathy, resilience, collaboration and critical thinking, key for successful integration into a modern, digital labour market. The project aligns with the European Commission’s focus on building these competences to promote social inclusion and sustainable development.

Central to SOCIOEMOVE is its research focus on assessing how VE can drive socio-emotional skills more effectively than traditional, face-to-face learning environments. By comparing VE-blended learning (experimental groups) with standard in-person classes (control groups), the project investigates the specific behaviours and technological tools that facilitate skill development. Utilising the OECD’s Socio-Emotional Skills Survey (SESS) framework, the project assesses five key competences: collaboration, task performance, engagement, emotional regulation and open-mindedness. These dimensions are further analysed using digital tools like 3D virtual worlds, Zoom and Google Meet, alongside asynchronous platforms like Padlet and Flip. This approach aims to provide data-driven insights on how different tools influence socio-emotional growth, and whether VE can be a sustainable alternative or supplement to physical mobility in education.

SOCIOEMOVE’s broader impact includes creating assessment materials and training educators to integrate VE effectively. The project will generate resources, such as guidelines and good practices, that are transferable to business and educational contexts beyond higher education. These outcomes will be shared in seminars for educators, stakeholders, and the general public, promoting the adoption of VE in diverse learning environments. Ultimately, SOCIOEMOVE supports Sustainable Development Goal 4.4, targeting equitable education and employability by equipping students with the socio-emotional skills necessary for personal and professional success.