Grit is a European project funded by Erasmus+ that focuses on improving and developing motivation and engagement in academic students and young researchers.
The project focuses on the element of GRIT as a high-potential construct that could reshape the academic Third Mission. Grit is defined as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals” (Duckworth, Peterson,Matthews, & Kelly, 2007, p. 1087).
Grit has been found to be highly predictive of success and performance and is distinct from other traits such as conscientiousness. It also means, “not just resilience in the face of failure, but also having deep
commitments that you remain loyal to over many years” (Duckworth cited in Perkins-Gough, 2013, p. 16). Moreover, “knowledge is not something objective and removed from our bodies, experiences and emotions but is created through our
experiences of the world as a sensuous and affective activity”(Hubbard et al., 2001: 126). It is in fact through our emotions that we make sense of and relate to our physical, natural and social worlds (Hubbard et al., 2001). All these skills in fact, refer to a combination of knowledge, tools, values and attitudes that enable effective and efficient personal or professional performance.
GRIT is a project on the promotion of grit through innovative digital and pedagogical methodologies with a high potential for specific impact in effectively transforming the academic Third Mission to better prepare students and researchers to become key players in contemporary society.