Designing a Database on University Students: Data Integration, European Positioning, and Research and Policy Perspectives

Annalisa Cristini (University of Bergamo), Cristina Davino (University of Naples Federico II), Adriana Di Liberto (University of Cagliari), Fabio Farella (University of Bari), Magali Fia (University of Bologna), Margherita Fort (University of Bologna), Rosa Fabbricatore (University of Naples Federico II), Giulia Leoni (University of Bologna), Costanza Marconi (University of Bergamo ), Elisa Melis (University of Cagliari), Marco Giovanni Nieddu (University of Cagliari), Federica Origo (University of Bergamo), Angelo Paletta (University of Bologna), Elena Pisanelli (University of Bergamo), Veronica Rattini (University of Bologna), Rosaria Romano (University of Naples Federico II), Laura Serlenga (University of Bari), Daniela Vuri (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

This discussion paper presents the “Database on University Students” developed within WP2, Spoke 3 of the GRINS project, outlining its methodological foundations, European positioning, and future research potential. It describes a panel dataset that integrates key information from partner universities to capture the academic careers and employability of university students, while accounting for their socio-economic context and undergraduate educational paths. This discussion details the main activities underpinning the database design, including data collection, harmonization, integration, and comparability, and highlights the main methodological challenges and opportunities emerging from these processes. Furthermore, it emphasizes the database’s potential to become the first of its kind in Italy and one of the richest in the European landscape, as it addresses the persistent fragmentation that characterizes existing information systems. Finally, the discussion paper provides illustrative examples through a collection of research abstracts, demonstrating the database’s potential to inform education policy and practice.