After around five years of development of the European Universities alliances, the roundtable discussed what experiences had been made so far, what opportunities, but also what challenges had been presented to the participating universities under the respective national and European framework conditions. The aim was to identify topics of relevance to the work of all alliances and to discuss examples of best practice. Finally, the discussants attempted to provide an outlook on the future development of the alliances.
The discussion explored the evolution of the European Universities alliances, beginning with reflections on how the early phase of the initiative had been perceived and how the programme had already changed participating institutions. Speakers examined the relationship between these emerging alliance formats and long‑established mobility schemes and funding mechanisms, considering how both could coexist and complement one another. They also discussed strategies for building an inter-university campus, comparing approaches that relied on developing new central infrastructures with those that focused on connecting existing systems across partner institutions, and reflecting on the lessons learned along the way.
Further topics included the impact of the alliances on teaching practices, highlighting concrete examples of innovative pedagogies and their influence on educational transformation. The conversation also addressed inclusion, focusing on how the inter-university campus model could broaden opportunities for diverse groups within universities. Looking ahead, participants considered the future of alliances as legal entities, the different paths already taken, and the experiences gained. They concluded by reflecting on the possible role and positioning of European University Alliances ten years from now.
Speakers
Melinda Macho, Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
Martina Friedrich, EU Programme Officer, Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Thomas Baumgartner, Head of Aurora European University Office, Innsbruck University
Lisa Pfefferseder, CIVIS Student Council, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg
Gabriele Permoser, Managing Director, E³UDRES² Allianz, University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
Moderation: Martin Knoll, PLUS Scientific Coordinator for CIVIS, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg
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Briefing paper: Building a bridge towards Africa and the Mediterranean Region (2021)
Building partnerships with African and Mediterranean universities outside Europe is an importantstrategic aim of CIVIS and one of its distinct features as a European University alliance (1). By 2022, the end of CIVIS’ “fabric phase”, our alliance seeks to win at least one partner institution in the target regions for each of its established thematic Hubs (2). This implies initiating some first joint pilot projects as well as to prepare and adopt longer-term strategic partnership agreements between CIVIS and partner universities.- Global partnerships
- Audiovisual materials
- Report
- Academics
- Researchers
- Administrators
- Policy makers
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Sensing Our Environment Together: Citizen Sciences for Climate and Air Quality (Workshop Report, 2025)
The workshop “Sensing Our Environment Together: Citizen Sciences for Climate and Air Quality” (30 September–1 October 2025) brought together academics, associations, and local stakeholders committed to addressing climate and air‑quality challenges through participatory research. Designed as a prototype for future CIVIS Open Labs, the event fostered dialogue between diverse actors, encouraged the exchange of methodologies, and highlighted the value of inclusive, science-based action. By convening experts and communities across different territories, the workshop aimed to enhance transnational collaboration and strengthen the collective capacity to address environmental issues.- Challenged-based approach
- Communication and Dissemination
- Civic engagement
- Participatory research
- Report
- Students
- Academics
- Researchers
- Civil society