In 2023, SEPR invited Jean Monnet University to take part in the CopCoVEs event in Amsterdam. On this occasion, we designed and facilitated a serious game in the form of a card game, with the aim of making the principles of fundamental research more accessible to vocational education professionals.

The game was played in groups of five to six participants. Each team was guided through a step-by-step process:

• First, they picked a country card, representing one of the MOSAIC partner countries. On the back of each card, a short introduction described the socio-political and economic context of that country.
• Then, they selected a theme card, linked to MOSAIC’s priorities such as social inclusion, sustainability, or digitalisation. Each card included a short definition to support understanding.
• Next came the goals card, inspired by well-known tools of European projects like MOSAIC: focus groups, desk research, study visits, or questionnaires.

With this base in place, participants were introduced to a deck of research methodology cards. These presented key approaches used in fundamental research — desk research, exploratory, fundamental, quantitative, and qualitative research — with clear definitions. Each group had to explore these options, debate them, and finally decide which methodology was most appropriate in their specific scenario.

This exercise addressed a recurring challenge voiced by CoP CoVEs members: how to integrate R&D into their activities. In the VET sector, research is often strongly linked to enterprises and applied to immediate, concrete needs. While this applied research is valuable, it tends to limit the space for true innovation. By demystifying and making fundamental research accessible, this serious game invited participants to look beyond the short term and to imagine how deeper research approaches could enrich their R&D practices.

Beyond the dynamics of the game, the workshop echoed several insights from MOSAIC’s recent report List of Recommendations to Foster R&D in VET. The report highlights the importance of:

• Building research capacity within VET organisations, by developing a shared understanding of methodologies;
• Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking, which requires moving beyond purely applied, short-term research;
• Creating stronger bridges between academia and vocational training, so that the richness of fundamental research can support innovation in professional practice.

By embodying these principles in a playful and accessible format, the workshop demonstrated that fundamental research does not need to remain confined to universities. When made tangible, it can become a practical and inspiring tool for VET stakeholders, helping them to structure their R&D efforts, anticipate future challenges, and innovate with greater depth and impact.