Thursday, 28 May 2026
from 15:30 – 17:00
Leads
Dr Oliver Stefani, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland
Dr Melanie Glaettli, SILVIVA Foundation, Switzerland
Description
How can we pool the insights and experience gained from chronobiology, environmental neuroscience, environmental psychology and educational science in order to not only combat myopia, but also strengthen holistic child development at the same time? Can we teach kids without damaging their eyesight?
A rapidly expanding body of international evidence demonstrates that regular exposure to natural daylight — proposed are around two hours per day — is among the most effective and cost-efficient strategies to prevent and slow the progression of myopia in children. Beyond visual health, findings from chronobiology, environmental neuroscience, and environmental psychology show that daylight is a fundamental regulator of circadian rhythms, sleep, cognitive performance, and emotional well-being. Parallel research in outdoor education indicates significant benefits for students’ cognitive, social, and creative development.
This convergence of evidence invites a paradigm shift: daylight should not be treated merely as an architectural parameter, but as a form of preventive infrastructure embedded in everyday institutions. Compulsory schooling — reaching virtually all children across socio-demographic contexts — represents a uniquely powerful and equitable setting for large-scale implementation. Yet the translation of daylight research into educational policy and practice remains underdeveloped.
This interactive workshop at the DLA Annual Conference 2026 positions the Academy at the forefront of this transformational agenda. Using design thinking methodologies, participants will collaboratively explore how daylight-rich outdoor learning can integrate visual health prevention, educational quality, and systemic feasibility. Through stakeholder mapping, problem reframing, and rapid concept development, the workshop will identify leverage points and outline pilotable intervention models.
Objectives
The session aims to initiate a transdisciplinary working group within the DLA network dedicated to advancing daylight-informed school innovation across Europe—strengthening the Academy’s mission to translate cutting-edge daylight research into tangible societal impact.