DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17369452
title: Integration of Nature-Based Solutions into Higher Education and TVET Curricula in Europe: A Qualitative Dataset of Expert Interviews

description: Description of the Dataset:   This dataset contains anonymised raw data collected through expert interviews conducted as part of the ᴇNᴀBʟS project. The interviews aimed to explore the integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and biodiversity loss concepts within higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) curricula across Europe. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with experts from universities, colleges, and TVET institutions across eight countries in Europe: Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Responses were collected via the EU Survey platform between May and August 2024, with 77 interviews included in this dataset.

Data Collection Method:   Semi-structured interviews conducted by multiple interviewers from the ᴇNᴀBʟS Consortium using the EU Survey platform. Interviewers entered summarised responses directly into the platform, based on either real-time notes or post-interview summaries from recordings. 

Participant Information:   A total of 77 participants took part in this study. The interviews focused on experts with teaching experience at higher education institutions (HEIs) and TVET organisations.

Transcript Format:   The dataset does not include full verbatim transcripts. Interviewers entered summarised notes into the EU Survey platform either during the interviews or afterwards. In some cases, audio recordings were used to create summaries; in others, notes were taken in real-time. Original audio files and full transcripts are not available.

Coded Data & Code System:

Coded qualitative data is not included due to the presence of personal and sensitive information that cannot be fully anonymised. The code system developed during the analysis is available upon request. Please contact the author for access.

Ethical Considerations:



Informed Consent: Participants provided informed consent for participation in the study.

Anonymised: All personal identifiers were removed to protect participant privacy.

Data Accessibility: Anonymised data files included in this dataset are openly accessible.

Data Minimisation: Only data relevant to the research objectives have been collected and shared.


Limitations:

A key limitation of the dataset is the nature of the qualitative data collection process. Interviewers did not uniformly record and transcribe interviews verbatim. Instead, data were entered as summarised notes, based either on real-time input or on recordings later condensed into text. As a result, the level of detail and language varies across interviews. No original audio files or full transcripts are available for verification or secondary analysis. Additionally, some interviews were conducted in languages other than English and later translated. These translations were not professionally verified, so some subtle meanings or context may have been lost or changed.

Suggested Citation:

Zwack, S. G., Adusumilli, S. D., & Fender, A.-C. (2025). Integration of Nature-Based Solutions into Higher Education and TVET Curricula in Europe: A Qualitative Dataset of Expert Interviews (Version 1) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17369452

Contact Information:

Contact Person: Sabiha Gökçen Zwack Email: sg.zwack@uni-hohenheim.deᴇNᴀBʟS Consortium: info@enabls.eu




Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.