Fostering Innovation in Design Education through Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are key principles used today to innovate the Higher Education system in Europe, particularly Design programmes, where components of socially responsible and innovative Design Education are considered strategic. Within this framework, the EDIDesK Project (Open Access Contents on Design for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for Higher Education Programmes, Erasmus+ KA220-HED) aims to seek to propose innovative pathways to improve the teaching of Design for EDI at the level of European Higher Education system. The article, which introduces this Special Issue, examines the integration of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles into higher education Design programmes in Europe. The study proposes the methodological setting used to map existing teaching practices, identify systemic challenges, and outline directions for embedding EDI more comprehensively within design curricula. The work, along with the collection of articles composing the Special Issue, argues for the need for structural reforms in Design Education. An emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary teaching, closer collaboration with stakeholders, and the recognition of EDI as a core competence for present students. Such measures are essential for preparing students to engage in inclusive, socially responsive, and future-oriented design practice.